| Thank Secretary of State Clinton for Her Leadership in Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health |
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January 14, 2010 Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton commemorated the 15th anniversary of a major international agreement on health and human rights, stating a renewed U.S. commitment to improving sexual health and reproductive rights throughout the world. At the 1994 United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, 179 governments agreed to a 20-year action plan that made the health and rights of women and young people central to the global struggle to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development. Since the ICPD, the United Nations, civil society, and governments have been working to make protection of human rights and access to reproductive health global realities. Despite some progress, much remains to be done. Women and girls in many parts of the world still face egregious violations of their basic human rights, and lack access to the comprehensive reproductive health services they need to stay healthy including contraception, comprehensive sexuality education, testing and treatment for reproductive cancers and prevention, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; maternity care, and access to safe abortion services. "If we believe that human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights, then we cannot accept the ongoing marginalization of half the world's population," said Secretary Clinton. "We cannot accept it morally, politically, socially, or economically." Secretary Clinton deserves recognition for her leadership in improving sexual and reproductive health worldwide. We also need to let her know that we stand behind her as the United States turns these words into action through policy changes and increased funding for critical health services. Please take a moment to thank Secretary Clinton: Call 202-647-6575 or send an email by clicking here (use your own text or the text below). Dear Secretary Clinton, On behalf of women and girls around the world, thank you for reaffirming the U.S. commitment to achieving the ICPD agenda by 2015. Every individual needs a range of services and information to realize their human right to protect him/herself and live healthy and happy lives. By ensuring that women and young people are central to U.S. foreign policy - especially, the U.S. Global Health Initiative- we will increase global momentum towards realizing the vision set forth in Cairo. Change is needed, and I am here to help you make your words a reality.
Sincerely,
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