US government cuts funding to condoms

The lead that arrived in my inbox two days ago -

The US government is cutting its funding for the supply of contraceptives to family planning clinics run by Marie Stopes International in Africa, alleging that it condones forced abortions in China.

MSI does some amazing work in Uganda and other countries. They play a huge role in HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and counselling in Owino Market ensuring people get access to medicines and CONDOMS.

MSI has categorically denied that it supports forced abortions or coercive sterilisation in China or anywhere else in the world, and says that the actions of the Bush government will result in more abortions in Africa, as women will be unable to get contraceptives and will end up with unwanted pregnancies.

As it turns out - at least if you listen to the group Catholics for Choice, Condoms for Life Campaign – the religious right plays a large role in influencing how USAID (and other American organizations) spends their money. On more than one occasion condoms have been pulled out of Aid packages in favour of the ABC approach to controlling HIV. I'm not saying anything about the accusations, just saying that USAID has looked for excuses for not sending condoms before this time. Funny they cut funding to condoms over abortion - that seems counter-intuitive.

If someone doesn’t believe in something that’s fine – but does that person have the right to make a life-or-death choice for someone else?

Article courtesy of Mail and Guardian (they are a great news source) and the rest can be found here.