US policies under family planning programs in Ethiopia

Population Action International (PAI)

May 9, 2006

Washington, DC – For many Americans, Ethiopia conjures up images of impoverished people – 44 percent of Ethiopians live below the poverty line and half of all children under age five are stunted from lack of nutrition. What is less understood are the factors contributing to this dire situation. One of these factors is a shortage of modern contraceptives: Couples who are unable to plan and space their pregnancies often must support very large families on limited resources. Unfortunately, U.S. policies are hampering the effectiveness of family planning programs in developing countries such as Ethiopia and limiting the supply of reliable contraceptives.

Ethiopian women have, on average, six children – more than are desired for many women and, tragically, more than usually survive. Despite the desire to manage their own fertility, less than 16 percent of married women use modern contraceptives and one in seven women will die due to complications related to pregnancy. Moreover, Ethiopia’s population is increasing by 2 million people each year and projected to double within 35 years, placing significant new demands on the need for contraceptives and other health services.

Tragically, U.S. policies are limiting the availability of contraceptives and undermining family planning programs in Ethiopia, which is heavily dependent on international donor assistance for these services. As documented in research led by PAI, the Global Gag Rule has increased stockouts of contraceptives and forced family planning clinics to shut down.

Source : Population Action International, a private, non-profit group committed to advancing universal access to family planning and related health services and to educational and economic opportunities, especially for women and girls.