A Day of Big Change

The 12th of March is a day of big change for the world. It is the day that the US President Barack Obama announced the resumption of the US contribution of $50 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The contribution had been suspended by the Bush Administration since 2002. I congratulate President Obama for being true to his word. Within three months in office, he has successfully acted upon the administration’s policy of “change”. By his signing of this legislation, the funds released will allow UNFPA to expand its assistance to projects that will have an impact on the life of millions of women in the developing areas around the world. Women at poverty level will have a better chance to improve their health and their quality of life. Young girls will be able regain their dignity by being able to exercise the right to manage their own body and their sexality. They can make decision whether they want to be pregnant or when to have children through the reproductive health services that are made available to them by UNFPA supported family planning programs. The most important thing is that young teenage girls will have a better chance of protecting themselves against catching HIV/AIDS.