S. 3393: Support UNFPA Funding Act

This bill, known as the Support UNFPA Funding Act, aims to authorize and provide funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for its activities in promoting sexual and reproductive health worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The bill emphasizes the importance of UNFPA's work in various areas, including:

Key Functions of UNFPA

• Maternal Health: UNFPA works to eliminate preventable maternal deaths by providing essential health services related to pregnancy and childbirth.
• Family Planning: The organization aims to meet the unmet need for contraception, enabling individuals to make informed choices about reproduction.
• Gender-Based Violence Prevention: UNFPA provides services to counter gender-based violence and supports victims.
• Addressing Harmful Practices: The agency focuses on ending practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes the appropriation of $74 million for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, which will support UNFPA's core programs and initiatives. The funding will specifically assist in:

• Ending preventable maternal deaths.
• Addressing the unmet need for contraceptives and promoting voluntary family planning.
• Combatting gender-based violence.
• Eliminating harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation.
• Providing critical services in areas affected by conflict or natural disasters.

Policy Statement

The bill establishes that U.S. policy prioritizes improving women's health worldwide as a component of foreign policy. Key points include:

• Supporting women's health contributes to global stability and economic growth.
• Everyone should have the right to make decisions about their reproductive health without coercion.
• Providing access to reproductive health care is cost-effective and supports economic participation by women.
• UNFPA is recognized as a valuable partner in these efforts.

Findings and Impact

The bill cites findings that stress the significance of UNFPA's work. It notes the need for continued funding, particularly highlighting:

• Challenges faced by women and girls in conflict zones and regions with limited medical services.
• The risk of closure of health facilities and loss of reproductive health services if funding is cut.
• The ongoing support needed to assist those affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.

Restrictions on Funding

While the bill aims to restore and increase funding for UNFPA, it explicitly prohibits funding for programs associated with coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. Additionally, it restricts funding in relation to programs in China.

Relevant Companies

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