Women's Health Takes Center Stage in New York with Support from Majority of Americans Nationwide

NEW YORK, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Business and community leaders, dignitaries and philanthropists joined forces to celebrate advancements in the health and rights of women globally on Thursday, October 7 at the Americans for UNFPA Awards for the Health and Dignity of Women. Award winners included super-model and film maker Christy Turlington Burns, renowned philanthropist Teresa Heinz and corporate media trailblazer Patricia Fili-Krushel from Time Warner. The ceremony took place at Espace, in New York City.

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Women's health issues have seen increased favor with the American public and many Americans consider these issues to be urgent global priorities. A recent survey conducted in September by Harris Interactive and Americans for UNFPA indicates that 91 percent of the American public believe that every woman on the planet deserves access to quality maternal and reproductive health care. Further, 77 percent of American women believe that "women empowering women" is a philosophy they live by. The Awards for the Health and Dignity of Women are built on the same values of female empowerment which the recipients bring to life.

2010 Honoree Christy Turlington Burns is well-known throughout the world and was recognized by Americans for UNFPA for her advocacy work and personal quest to eradicate maternal death globally. On being honored for her achievements she said, "Safe motherhood is a personal issue to me but it's not just a personal private issue. And it's not just a woman's issue. It's the smartest, most strategic investment we can make in development. When you save a mother, you save a nation." It is the first time that Ms. Turlington Burns has been honored for her advocacy achievements. She is the founder of Every Mother Counts, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving maternal health.

Honorees also included Dr. Marta Julia Ruiz, founder of the Population Council's Abriendo Oportunidades program which educates indigenous girls in Guatemala. UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, estimates there are currently 600 million adolescent girls in low-and middle income countries. According to the survey, 60 percent of Americans believe that investing in adolescent girls will help end poverty around the world.

Also being honored was Feeza Shraim, a midwife from the Palestinian Territories, who set up an emergency clinic in her home to care for pregnant women in Gaza during times of siege. Newly released U.N. estimates show close to 1,000 women die daily in childbirth around the world. According to UNFPA, a skilled midwife's presence can avert up to 90 percent of all maternal deaths.

"UNFPA's work to promote the health and dignity of all women, everywhere, is vital because strong, able, committed women can make the world a better place for all," said Patricia Fili-Krushel, award winner and Executive Vice President of Administration at Time Warner. Ms. Fili-Krushel is the first woman to become president of one of the three major networks and has initiated several leadership programs for women; reinforcing her enthusiasm for women's achievement in the field.

The U.N. report showed the number of women dying due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth has decreased by 34 percent, from an estimated 546,000 in 1990 to 358,000 in 2008. The reduction was welcomed as the U.N. Secretary-General secured $40 billion in funding pledges to support women's and children's health across the world, emphasizing there was still much work to be done. The U.S. Administration also launched a six-year, $63-billion global health care initiative with a focus on women and girls.

"In my life I have been privileged at times to stand with brave men and women as they have fought against inequity and  oppression--be it students marching against apartheid in South Africa, Jewish refuseniks demanding basic human rights in the Soviet Union, or older women fighting discriminatory retirement practices in this country.  The Americans for UNFPA Award is a true honor," said the evening's Lifetime Achievement award recipient Teresa Heinz, Chairman of the Heinz Endowments and Heinz Family Philanthropies. Ms. Heinz championed women's education around savings and retirement security. Her related advocacy work exposed imbalances in the nation's social and economic system which put elderly women at risk.

"With close to 200,000 more women escaping death in childbirth each year, we have cause to feel optimistic about our ability to influence policy for the world's women. Women's health is en route to gaining its rightful place as a basic human right," said Anika Rahman, President, Americans for UNFPA.  

The Americans for UNFPA Gala for the Health and Dignity of Women takes place annually in New York City. This year's event was co-chaired by Beth Comstock, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, GE; Laura Klauberg, Senior Vice President, Global Media, Unilever; Mary Lake Polan, MD, MPH, Founder, Eritrean Women's Project; and Katherine Pickus, Divisional Vice President, Global Citizenship and Policy, Abbott.

About Americans for UNFPA

Americans for UNFPA builds moral, political and financial support within the United States for the work of UNFPA. UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, provides women's health care and promotes the rights of women in 150 countries around the world. For more information, please visit www.americansforunfpa.org

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for The Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients - stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com

About the Survey

This women's global health survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Americans for UNFPA between September 14 - September 16, 2010, among 2,052 adults ages 18+. Results were weighted as needed on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, and race/ethnicity. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. A full methodology is available.

For More Information Contact:

Zahra Aziz, Communications & Marketing Manager, Americans for UNFPA

[email protected], Telephone: +1 646.649.9110 (office), +1 917.696.6181 (mobile)

SOURCE Harris Interactive