Americans for UNFPA Announces Inaugural
Essay Contest for the Health and Dignity of Women
Prize includes expense paid leadership trip to Malawi

Americans for UNFPA, the official U.S. support organization for UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, announces an inaugural Essay Contest for the Health and Dignity of Women.  The contest winner will receive an expense paid week trip to Malawi from July 29-August 4, 2007 to travel with Americans for UNFPA staff and other engaged activists to increase her global understanding of the health and rights of women.
 
Applicants must be eligible to vote in the U.S. and must be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time at a U.S. institution.  Applicants must submit letter of reference, resume/activity sheet and respond to the following two essay questions by March 1, 2007:
 

• How do you personally hope to play a role in improving the rights and reproductive health of women worldwide?  (maximum 300 words)
• Discuss the significance of the U.S. Government’s de-funding of UNFPA and why U.S. funding should be restored. (maximum 500 words)
   

The contest winner will travel to Malawi and observe women’s income generation projects, visit maternity hospital clinics where fistula treatment is provided, observe innovative HIV prevention outreach, and meet with members of Malawi’s Parliament.  The winner will be interviewed about their experience, by Americans for UNFPA staff and media.  
 
“We hope to cultivate a life-long advocate for the health and rights of women,” says Anika Rahman, President, Americans for UNFPA.   “We are looking for a student with a demonstrated interest in improving their own contribution to women worldwide.”
 
To learn more or to download an application visit our website or www.myspace.com/americansforunfpa .

Through advocacy and public awareness, Americans for UNFPA is dedicated to building American support for the work of UNFPA and to restoring the United States’ moral, political and financial contribution.