“It’s a true testament to how far we have come over the last decade that reproductive health and rights are now an essential piece of the United Nations’ efforts to improve the lives of millions of people around the world,” Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) writes in the Huffington Post’s “World” blog. “Still, as we approach the expiration of the [Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)] in 2015, the fight for reproductive rights is far from over,” he states, adding, “We must continue to make our voices heard and push to ensure comprehensive reproductive health services are a cornerstone of any plan to replace the MDGs.”

“Although things have changed a great deal here in the U.S., we still have to fight for women’s rights every day. And the fight is even more robust in developing nations where women are marginalized, abused and discriminated against on a daily basis,” Quigley continues. “As the largest contributor to the United Nations and funder of international family planning, the U.S. is in a unique position to continue to lead the global agenda and place reproductive health at its core,” he writes, noting, “Sadly, there is a contingent of Congress bent on slashing all government investments and particularly those aimed at family planning.” He adds, “It is due to this obstructionism that we must make our voices heard and stand up for reproductive rights of women around the world” (11/1).