II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2682 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 29, 2008 Mr. Reid (for Mrs. Clinton) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations A BILL To direct United States funding to the United Nations Population Fund for certain purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the United Nations Population Fund Restoration Act of 2008.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)More than 500,000 women worldwide die during childbirth every year, with the overwhelming majority of these deaths occurring in the developing world. (2)More than 10,000,000 women annually experience serious complications from pregnancy, such as obstetric fistula. (3)Ensuring skilled attendants at birth, backed by emergency obstetric care, could reduce maternal deaths by about 75 percent, yet one-third of pregnant women in low-income countries do not have contact with health personnel prior to giving birth. (4)Approximately 3,000,000 girls face female genital mutilation and cutting on an annual basis. These practices have both short- and long-term physical and mental health consequences. (5)At least 200,000,000 women want to use safe and effective family planning methods, but are unable to do so because they lack access to health care services and information about family planning. (6)Women and children account for more than 75 percent of the refugees and displaced persons at risk from war, famine, persecution, and natural disaster. In a crisis or refugee situation, one in five women of childbearing age is likely to be pregnant. (7)Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are the second leading cause of health problems for women of reproductive age, causing pregnancy-related pelvic inflammatory disease and cervical cancer. (8)The United Nations Population Fund, which is supported by contributions from more than 180 countries from all regions of the world, carries out activities in more than 150 countries to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity, end female genital mutilation and cutting, reduce transmission of STIs and HIV/AIDS, and ensure access to health care and essential supplies for women and families impacted by emergencies.

3.

Use of funds

Funds appropriated or otherwise made available for a United States contribution to the United Nations Population Fund shall be used for the following purposes: (1)To provide and distribute equipment, medicine, and supplies, including safe delivery kits and hygiene kits, to ensure safe childbirth and emergency obstetric care. (2)To make available supplies of contraceptives for the prevention of unintended pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS. (3)To prevent and treat cases of obstetric fistula. (4)To reestablish maternal health services in areas where medical infrastructure and such services have been destroyed or limited by natural disasters, armed conflict, or other factors. (5)To promote abandonment of harmful traditional practices, including female genital mutilation and cutting and child marriage. (6)To promote the access of unaccompanied women and other vulnerable people to vital services, including access to water, sanitation facilities, food, and health care.