Study: Europe cuts family planning aid for poor countries
DSW and EPF call upon EU government to fulfill their commitments
Brussels, 29 September 2008. European governments cut family planning funding in their development aid, finds Euromapping, a study presented today by the German Foundation for World Population (DSW) and the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF). According to the latest data, funding for family planning and basic reproductive health services in poor countries fell by 7.8%, a loss of more than 160 Million USD. This leaves millions of people suffering unnecessarily from maternal and infant deaths, unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions. DSW and EPF today called upon EU governments – notably their Development Cooperation Ministers currently meeting in Bordeaux – to reverse this worrying trend.
Despite the commitment of European governments to help women and families in poor countries access family planning and reproductive health services, the Euromapping study shows that these commitments are not honored with the required funds. This leaves 200 million women unable to access family planning services and 1 in 16 women in sub-Saharan Africa dead during pregnancy or child birth.
"The European Parliament has called for more funding for maternal health, in its September 4 resolution, and EU governments repeatedly affirm their commitment to reproductive health,” stated MEP Anne Van Lancker. “Where is the money to back up this rhetoric?”
As European Development Ministers discuss European aid at their informal meeting in Bordeaux, Euromapping shows that family planning funds are neglected in real aid disbursements. "The European governments have to put family planning and reproductive health on the top of their development agenda," said Karen Hoehn, DSW Vice Executive Director. "This is the only way we can save the lives of millions of women and children."
Euromapping is the only comprehensive study analysing EU development aid for population assistance. It “names and shames” good and bad performers, and includes specific recommendations to improve reproductive health and reduce poverty. Additional highlights:
- In 2007, EU ODA reached 64% of the world’s total, while in real terms falling by €1.6 billion.
- Greece, Austria, Portugal and Italy each spend less than $US 1.00 per capita on reproductive health and HIV/AIDS in poor countries.
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Note to the Editor:
Euromapping is a joint study by DSW and the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development that scrutinises EU countries' development aid for population assistance and reproductive health (sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS, maternal death and disability, family planning, gender-based violence) commitments and disbursements.Interviews with the authors of the study will be gladly facilitated. A presentation of the study is available online at http://www.dsw-brussels.org.
For more information, please contact maria.bordallo@dsw-brussels.org.
The German Foundation for World Population (DSW) is an international development organisation. DSW helps young people in Africa and Asia to escape poverty by providing sexual and reproductive health information, services and supplies. In Germany and Europe it raises awareness about the close links between sustainable development, poverty, health, environmental protection and demographic trends.
The European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) a Brussels-based network that serves as a platform cooperation and coordination for the 25 all-party groups Parliaments throughout Europe that focus on improving sexual and reproductive health and rights at home and abroad through national and regional health and foreign aid budgets.