Population Connection Condemns Iran's Attacks on Family Planning

Washington, DC, March 13, 2015 --(PR.com)-- “We are appalled by Iran’s misguided efforts to increase childbearing in an attempt to boost the size of its population. If enacted, the proposed legislation would reduce women to mere vessels for procreation and undermine the incredible progress that’s been made by the country’s family-planning programs.

"The two bills – Bill 446 (the Bill to Increase Fertility Rates and Prevent Population Decline) and Bill 315 (the Comprehensive Population and Exaltation of Family Bill) – would impose major restrictions on contraception, ban voluntary sterilization, and discriminate against childless women.

"Put simply: These proposals are an outrageous violation of the human rights and wellbeing of Iran’s citizens. Access to modern contraceptives and family planning services should not depend on the political objectives of governments. Being able to choose when, whether, and with whom to have children is a basic right.

"Population Connection, along with its political arm Population Connection Action Fund, strongly condemns these bills and hopes the Iranian authorities stop their attempts to take away people’s reproductive freedom and rights.”

Population Connection and its political arm Population Connection Action Fund are America's voice for population stabilization. We work to ensure that every woman around the world who wants to delay or end childbearing has access to the health services and contraceptive supplies she needs in order to do so. Please visit www.populationconnection.org for more information.

Media contact: Elspeth Dehnert, edehnert@populationconnection.org