Planned Parenthood Advocate

UN Declares Access to Contraception a Human Right

For the first time, the U.N. Population Fund’s (UNFPA) annual report, released November 14, explicitly declares family planning, including access to contraception, a universal human right.  In keeping with the UNFPA's mission to create “a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled,” this report examines both the financial and social repercussions of decreased access to contraception.

The report identifies 222 million women in developing countries as having an unmet need for voluntary family planning.  According to the UNFPA, an investment of $4.1 billion in funding to allow everyone in developing countries access to family planning would result in an annual $11.3 billion reduction in costs for maternal and newborn health.  The UN also points out a correlation between accessible family planning, increased productivity and the resulting improvements to a region’s economy.

Increased voluntary family planning access is not just an issue of economics.  Dr. Osotimehin states, “Family planning is not a privilege, but a right.  Yet, too many women – and men – are denied this human right.”  The UNFPA’s annual report identifies a number health and social factors impacted by this unmet need, including high rates of unintended pregnancy and HIV, increased infant mortality, decreased ability to attain an education and gender inequality.  According to Dr. Babatunde, Executive Director of the UNFPA, “Not only does the ability for a couple to choose when and how many children to have help lift nations out of poverty, but it is also one of the most effective means of empowering women.”

Planned Parenthood has always understood how fundamental family planning is to the wellbeing of women. In Minnesota, Planned Parenthood is proud to offer no-cost birth control for qualifying women through the 4NOW program.  4NOW also covers the cost of annual exams, emergency contraception, STI screenings and more!  Planned Parenthood accepts most kinds of insurance, and our doors are open to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

Planned Parenthood Locations

More about 4NOW

By Kelly, Web Correspondent, Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Planned Parenthood Celebrates 20 Years of Parent-Child Retreats

In 2010, teens across the country, ages 12 – 19, were asked: When it comes to your decisions about sex, who is most influential?  The most common response?  Parents.

Research proves the protective significance of Parent-Child Connectedness (also known as PCC) for growing children.  PCC, a strong emotional bond between parent and child, is known in the public health world as a “super protector,” buffering adolescents from the many challenges and risks they face. Strong PCC protects against 33 negative adolescent outcomes such as unintended pregnancy; HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); violence; depression; eating disorders; alcohol, tobacco and drug use; and poor academic achievement. 

Today Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota celebrates 20 years of steadfast commitment to fostering PCC in local communities.  Since 1992, Planned Parenthood has offered more than 100 Parent-Child retreats (totaling over 1,000 participants) across the state of Minnesota.  At these one-day retreats, parents and mentors discuss emerging sexuality with their children in a comfortable, supportive environment.  Tonight at Planned Parenthood’s flagship headquarters in St. Paul, past and present program participants, volunteers, staff and supporters will join to recognize this incredible achievement.

Planned Parenthood is dedicated to providing accurate, age-appropriate, culturally relevant information to children and teens, and offers a broad range of education programs across Minnesota.  To learn more about the importance of supporting Parent-Child Connectedness in our communities, check out Planned Parenthood’s complete report, or download Planned Parenthood’s Let’s Talk tablemat! 

	All-day retreats for daughters, ages 10-12, and their mothers or female mentors.  Participants learn and play together while exploring puberty, healthy sexuality, and family communication and connection.  Offered in English, Spanish and Hmong.
	All-day retreats for sons, ages 10-12, and their mothers or female mentors.  Activities are designed to support positive communications about puberty and sexuality and to emphasize the value of building healthy relationships.

Planned Parenthood: Obama Reelection, Minnesota Triumphs Are ‘Resounding Victory For Women, By Women’

President Obama’s reelection – and the state-level successes in Minnesota – are a historic victory for women’s health, according to the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund (PPMNSAF).

“This is a resounding victory for women – and by women. More than ever before, women’s health was a decisive issue in this election. Minnesotans voted to ensure that women will have access to affordable health care and be able to make their own medical decisions,” said Sarah Stoesz, President of the PPMNSAF.

Help Planned Parenthood Get Out The Vote!

We’re in the final days of the election season. Join Planned Parenthood this weekend for a phone bank finale in St. Paul. We’ll be calling to ensure people have vital voter information like where to vote and what to bring. In addition, we’ll be asking folks to stand with Planned Parenthood and vote “NO” on the two constitutional amendments that are on the MN ballot.

According to a Star Tribune poll, the marriage amendment is a virtual tie. The Photo-ID amendment is close as well, with 6% of Minnesota voters undecided. These amendments would change the Minnesota Constitution. In addition, the Photo-ID amendment would have a devastating effect on future elections.

If you’d like to join us this weekend please RSVP to ashcmitz@ppmns.org. The phone banks will all be held at 671 Vandalia St. in St. Paul. There is a parking ramp available.

Phone Bank Times Include:

-        Saturday 11/3 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. AND 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

-        Sunday 11/4 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. AND 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

-        Monday 11/5 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

No prior phone-banking experience is required. In fact, it is pretty easy. You will be helping lots of Minnesota voters find essential voter information!  

Minnesota Same-Day Voter Registration Information - It’s Not Too Late!

All the discussion about voter registration and voter ID laws can be confusing. The Minnesota deadline to pre-register to vote was October 16. It’s not too late to register to vote. Minnesota allows voters to use same-day registration to vote. According to the MN Secretary of State, over 500,000 people used same-day registration in 2008. In fact, around 61% of voters in Minnesota have used same-day registration at some point.

Minnesota allows voters to register on Election Day at their polling place. Same-day registration isn’t just for new voters. If you were previously registered to vote but have moved, changed your name or have not voted for four consecutive years you will need to use same day registration. Also, if you received a notice of late registration from your county auditor or city clerk you will need to use same day registration. Minnesota provides a helpful voter registration lookup to check your registration.

Find out if you're registered here. 

If you need to use same day registration, you will need to provide proof of residence. There are a variety of ways through which you can do so.

Here's what to bring.

In addition, if you live in a nursing home, veterans home, group housing, homeless shelter, battered women’s shelter, or transitional housing you can still register to vote! An employee of the facility you live in can vouch for your residency through a written form.

Are you worried about getting to the polls? For some facilities (like nursing homes) the law allows you to designate someone to bring you a ballot. You will need to fill out a request form and the links are provided below.

Residential Facility Registration

Residential Facility Voting

So what’s all this about voter ID? The ballot for the 2012 election will include a proposed amendment to change the Minnesota Constitution. Voters will decide whether to change the constitution or to leave the constitution the way it currently is. Voting registration and procedures will remain the same for the 2012 election. However, if passed, these changes would severely impact future elections, including ending same-day voter registration. It would change how you vote, who can vote, and increase the financial cost of elections.

Voter Restriction Amendment Impact On Future Elections