UNFPA statement on the US decision to reinstate its funding

The United States decision to restore financial and political support to UNFPA will have an enormous impact on the work of UNFPA and on the people we serve. It sends a powerful message to women and girls around the world that their rights matter. 

Restored funding stands to enable UNFPA to prevent more than 1 million unintended pregnancies and provide lifesaving reproductive health services to over 4 million women and young people each year, including the vital services needed by survivors of gender-based violence.

The return of U.S. support comes at a critical moment: COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the health and well-being of women and girls globally, and threatens to set back the important progress the world has made in recent years. At this challenging time, the entire international community must rise in solidarity to protect these gains and keep moving forward.

UNFPA’s programmes aim to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. We operate in over 150 countries and territories, bringing life-saving sexual and reproductive health services to the most marginalized and vulnerable people, including in the world’s most pressing and dangerous humanitarian crises. Now, with the generous support of the American people, UNFPA will be able to reach even more women and girls with these vital services.

UNFPA also welcomes President Biden’s announcement today rescinding the expanded version of the Mexico City Policy, also known as the “global gag rule”, which has resulted in the defunding of reproductive health organizations in developing countries that poor women and their families rely on.   

With the restoration of funding to UNFPA, the United States is upholding the rights of all women to lead healthy and empowered lives, and to live free from violence. We look forward to working with President Biden, Vice President Harris and the American people to deliver a world where sexual and reproductive health and rights are a reality for all.