For Immediate Release:
March 4, 2005

Contact: Adrienne Verrilli
at: 212-819-9770 x325

Media Alert

New York, NY - This week, delegates representing more than 100 counties met at the United Nations for the Forty-Ninth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women to review the progress of women's equality across the globe and to reaffirm the Program of Action that was agreed upon at the United Nations' IV World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China in 1995 (commonly referred to as "Beijing"). Unfortunately, representatives of the U.S. government appointed by the Bush Administration attempted to undermine Beijing by introducing amendments designed to curtail sexual and reproductive rights and health.

"The Beijing agreement is paving the way to end discrimination against the world's women and girls. For the U.S. to even threaten to undermine this agreement is appalling," said Bill Smith, vice president for public policy at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS).

At this conference, the U.S. delegation collaborated with the Holy See and other fundamentalist representatives to push a conservative agenda. Claiming "moral" authority, the U.S. government presented itself as a champion of women worldwide, despite a track record of measures that threaten women's health. Specifically, the U.S. proposed to insert language into the declaration reaffirming Beijing that the agreement did not "create any new international human rights or "include the right to abortion."

"Ten years ago in Beijing, the U.S. pledged to protect women's human rights and promote women's freedom of political participation and access to education, employment, and health care. Smith said. "What is tragic about this," Smith explained is that the international community must now squander energy to prevent backsliding rather than work to make further process."

Faced with international criticism, U.S. representatives withdrew their earlier amendments.

"SIECUS is pleased that the U.S. government abandoned its tactics, and urges the U.S. to continue our country's tradition of standing up for women's rights and freedom and reaffirm the Beijing Platform of Action," Smith continued.

"Erasing discrimination and ensuring access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services, including access to abortion, are key components of improving women's health and lives," Smith said.

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