WGNRR’s Statement on defunding of Planned Parenthood by Susan G. Komen Foundation

The Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) expresses its deep disappointment at the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood.

We see the decision on behalf of Komen Foundation to terminate a successful five year working relationship with Planned Parenthood clinics as a politicised move motivated by the anti-women and anti-rights agenda, constituting a major setback for the women the funds were primarily aimed at.

Planned Parenthood is the only health care provider in the United States that offers accessible clinical breast exams, treatment, and breast health information for predominantly poor, minority, uninsured, and under-insured women. The lack of access to early and effective breast exams and information has been identified as one of the primary reasons that African-American and Latina women die of breast cancer in higher rates than the general population.

By defunding Planned Parenthood, the Komen Foundation publicly proclaims that these women no longer matter; that women’s health is no longer a priority for them. This move only serves to further endanger women’s lives by severely restricting their access to healthcare, based on arbitrary reasoning and weak justifications.

WGNRR reaffirms its support for a holistic, women-centric approach to healthcare. We applaud Planned Parenthood’s continued and unflagging work in delivering quality healthcare services for women. WGNRR calls on its members, partners and allies to stand in solidarity with Planned Parenthood and to publicly denounce the decision of Susan G. Komen Foundation. You can also show your support and commitment for women’s rights by contributing to Planned Parenthood’s emergency funding drive.

Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR)