Video Remarks for U.K. Family Planning Summit

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

July 12, 2012

I am honored to address all of you during this important Summit that will help improve access to voluntary family planning for millions of women around the world. I especially want to thank the Government of the United Kingdom and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for hosting today's event.

Reproductive rights are basic human rights. Women everywhere should have the right to decide when and whether to have children. But too often, in too many places around the world, these rights are denied. Millions of women and young people across the globe don’t have access to modern forms of contraception. Today, you are demonstrating the solidarity of the international community behind a woman’s right to make decisions about the timing, number, and spacing of her children, which is critical to the advancement of women, their families, and their communities. Your commitments will enable more countries to have effective and sustainable family planning programs and help ensure that women have access to the health care they need. Thank you for your hard work, and please know that you have my very best wishes for a successful Summit.