Strengthening U.S. Leadership on Reproductive Health & Family Planning
The United Nations Foundation is leading a new initiative to strengthen U.S. leadership on international reproductive health and family planning (RH/FP). The project aims to increase awareness and enthusiasm among U.S. policymakers, leading to increased U.S. funding, improved U.S. policies, and greater impact in women’s lives through improved access to RH/FP. The project will build the capacity of U.S. non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and lay the groundwork for longer term advocacy and communications efforts.
More broadly, this initiative will seek to support the goals set forth by International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by re-engaging the U.S. and motivating the broader international community to expand its efforts to reach MDG 5’s target of universal access to reproductive health. As ICPD envisioned, the project aims for the U.S. to be a leading global voice and funder supporting women and couples worldwide to decide the number, spacing and timing of their children, and for them to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health. By improving access to voluntary RH/FP, the U.S. will contribute to achieving women’s equality and empowerment, as well as to population stabilization, increased economic growth, enhanced political security, and protection of the environment.
The UN Foundation will undertake strategic grant-making to U.S. NGOs for activities in support of achieving the project goals.
This initiative is a collaborative effort of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Summit Foundation, and the Wallace Global Fund.
The UN Foundation is currently accepting proposals for this initiative.
