Catch up on the latest IANGEL advocacy news! Here are the most recent bills and initiatives we are supporting:
A win for sexual and reproductive health and rights everywhere
On July 29th, the House made history by passing the FY2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPs) bill for the first time without the Helms Amendment! For over 50 years Helms has been affecting women seeking access to reproductive health services by limiting U.S. funding for these programs. As supporters of the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, we celebrate this step toward promoting sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion care, and protecting the bodily autonomy of millions of people abroad.
Permanent gag rule repeal passes in the House
In addition to removing the Helms Amendment, the newly-passed SFOPs bill has also included the Global Health Empowerment and Rights (HER) Act—a huge step towards making permanent global gag rule repeal a reality! We have continued to promote and urge our networks to write to their representatives to sponsor the Global HER Act, and as of July 29, there are 50 bipartisan Senators in support of the legislation. The Senate is considering its own version of an SFOPs bill and a vote is likely to occur in September. In the meantime, we encourage individuals and organizations to sign this petition to tell Congress to support the Global HER Act and eliminate the global gag rule.
Increased funding to the UNFPA
The newly passed SFOPs bill also included funding increases for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an agency of the UN focused on improving reproductive and maternal health around the world. IANGEL has been supporting increased funding by advocating for the Support Funding for UNFPA Act. We signed a letter to Senator Chris Coons, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on SFOPs, asking to end restrictions on foreign aid used for reproductive health services such as abortion. We welcome the House’s decision to invest in providing vital services such as family planning, maternal, and reproductive health care services for those who need it abroad.
Continuing to advocate for future girl leaders
More women in leadership can lead to more inclusive and peaceful democratic governments. Policies like the Girls Leadership, Engagement, Agency and Development (LEAD) Act that encourages girls’ leadership, civic engagement, and education, can help create a path to a brighter future for girls around the world. Our latest blog post explains how crucial it is to include girls in decision making processes on all levels, and how the Girls LEAD Act can work to address the gaps between democracy and governance programming and girls’ empowerment.
This is only the beginning. With your support, we can continue to fight for gender justice for everyone, everywhere.
Our 8th Anniversary Virtual Gala takes place on August 19th at 5:30pm PDT! Registration and sponsorships are still open. Click on the link below to our Gala page for more information.
Some other ways you can get involved: