The International Women’s Health Coalition works to help shape U.S. foreign policy because the United States is a world leader—sometimes for the benefit of and other times to the detriment of women and girls.  Learn more about the issues we work on, and how you can help make a difference.

Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health
While some global health programs have seen growing investments, key programs for sexual and reproductive health have not.  IWHC is working with others to ensure that the United States provide its fair share of the global need for family planning and maternal health programs, as well as supporting comprehensive sexuality education programs. Learn more>>

 

Global Policy on HIV/AIDS: the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
The new law, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),which authorizes a $48 billion investment in HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria through 2013, is a key global health program.  However, the law fell short on key HIV prevention issues—and IWHC will be working to improve implementation in order to slow the growing rates of HIV infection among women and young people, and to ensure that we get the most from these investments. Learn more>> 

 

Ending Child Marriage
More than 50 million girls worldwide are married before the age of 18, and in certain regions of the world, more than half of all girls are married before their 15th birthday. Child marriage denies them their human rights, and often results in these young girls getting pulled out of school while also putting them at greater risk for HIV infection, domestic violence, and dying in childbirth.  Learn more>>
 

Empowering Young People to Protect Themselves
Adolescents in the United States and the developing world deserve access to full and accurate information about sexuality and reproduction to empower them to protect themselves against HIV infection and unintended pregnancies. Learn more>> 

 

Eliminating the Global Gag Rule
The Global Gag Rule is a Presidential policy that denies family planning funds to any foreign nongovernmental organization that speaks in any way about abortion—even if abortion is legal in the countries where they work. This policy creates harmful barriers to services and stands in the way of effective programs.  This Reagan-Bush-Bush policy needs to end. Learn more>>

Ensuring U.S. Funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
During its two terms, the Bush Administration has blocked funding to UNFPA—the largest international provider of family planning and reproductive health services in the developing world.  Using drummed up evidence to make its case, the Administration has stood in opposition to the 180 other countries that support UNFPA, leaving those in need without critical health care services. Learn more>>