tailieunhanh - Advancing Reproductive Health and Family Planning through Religious Leaders and Faith-Based Organizations

Does poor reproductive health prevent poor women from escaping poverty? Despite the plethora of survey data showing that poor households tend to be larger and that poor women tend to have higher rates of fer- tility, experts have debated whether these conditions cause poverty or are symptoms of poverty. In research funded by the MacArthur Foundation and published by the World Bank, Thomas Merrick and I found that poor reproductive health outcomes—early childbear- ing, maternal mortality/morbidity, and unintended/ mistimed pregnancy—have negative effects on overall health, and, under certain circumstances, on educa- tion and household well-being | PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL Advancing Reproductive Health and Family Planning through Religious Leaders and Faith-Based Organizations About Pathfinder International Pathfinder International believes that reproductive health is a basic human right. When parents can choose the timing of pregnancies and the size of their families women s lives are improved and children grow up healthier. For 50 years Pathfinder has worked to improve access to and knowledge of reproductive health and family planning services around the world. Many of Pathfinder s projects work with adolescents and youth. By providing them information on reproductive health and family planning Pathfinder helps young people safeguard their health and plan their futures. Pathfinder works to prevent HIV AIDS provide care to women suffering from the complications of unsafe abortion reach adolescents with services tailored to their needs and advocate for sound reproductive health policies in the . and abroad. PHOTOS Front Garry Presthus Margot Kane Inside Front Vedrana Fiamengo Jenny Wilder Inside Back Douglas Kerr Margot Kane PATHFINDER INTERNATIONAL Advancing Reproductive Health and Family Planning through Religious Leaders and Faith-Based Organizations Mary K. Burket MA Technical Communications Associate August 2006 fi Rathfinder .