For immediate release

June 24, 2014

AMENDMENT FINALLY BRINGS JUSTICE TO PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED DURING SERVICE

Statement by PAI President and CEO Suzanne Ehlers

Washington, DC— Today, the House Appropriations Committee adopted an amendment by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) to provide life-saving federal benefits to Peace Corps volunteers who are sexually assaulted.

Since 1979, a federal mandate on the Peace Corps has prohibited them from covering the cost of an abortion for volunteers—even in the narrow cases of rape, incest and life endangerment. No other federal employees—including Peace Corps employees— faced this restriction. Democratic and Republican members of the committee agreed by voice vote to repeal this unjust and inequitable restriction which puts women’s lives in danger. Last week, the Senate also approved a provision in the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill to remove this restriction.

Peace Corps volunteers represent some of the best in American talent and determination in the world’s most challenging places. More than half of these volunteers are women. They deserve the same access to comprehensive women’s health care as other women in federal service. We applaud the members of Congress who did the right thing and stood up for them today.

Contact: Dilly Severin, Director of Communications

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 202-557-3423