At a small reproductive health clinic in Antananarivo, Madagascar, two pregnant 16-year-old girls — Finoana and Tina — walked 40 minutes to receive care. This clinic is their only option for free, vital health services.

Tina didn’t know about contraceptives until she came here. Now, after her baby is born, she plans to use them. She dreams of returning to school and becoming a teacher someday, but the future feels uncertain.

Misa, a midwife at the clinic, says: “If it’s not free, they will [be unable to] come. There will be a big increase in childbirths here. There will be a big increase of abortions, mothers’ deaths, and teenage pregnancies.”

This clinic provides free contraceptives, prenatal and postnatal care, safe deliveries, and post-abortion care — services that save lives. It also supports survivors of abuse and educates teens about reproductive health.

But the future of this clinic, and many like it, is at risk.

The U.S. government recently cut $335 million in funding to UNFPA programs worldwide, slashing support for sexual and reproductive health services in some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities.

We have a chance to act. The Support UNFPA Funding Act has recently been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to secure vital resources for expectant mothers, infants, and women and girls worldwide.

Please take a moment to contact your Member of Congress and urge them to cosponsor the Support UNFPA Funding Act. We’ve already prepared a message for you to send — all you need to do is make a few clicks!

Since 1969, UNFPA has led the fight to support maternal and infant health, prevent harmful practices, and empower women with choices that build stronger families and communities.

Today, funding cuts threaten to reverse decades of progress. Clinics face closure, services will be scaled back, and women and girls will lose access to critical care they desperately need.

But with your help, UNFPA can continue delivering:

• Emergency birth kits and supplies for safe deliveries


• Free contraceptives and family planning education


• Care for survivors of violence


• Support adolescent girls’ for health and futures

Please stand with women like Finoana and Tina and midwives like Misa by urging your Member of Congress to endorse the Support UNFPA Funding Act. This legislation will help save the lives of women and girls in 150 countries.

Thank you for using your voice to advocate for the health and futures of women everywhere.

— USA for UNFPA