NCJW President Nancy Ratzan Submits Statement for Congressional Hearing on Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs

April 23, 2008, Washington, DC -- This morning, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held an oversight hearing assessing the evidence around the effectiveness of federally funded abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) President Nancy Ratzan submitted the following statement for the Committee record:

"On behalf of the 90,000 members and supporters of the National Council of Jewish Women, I would like to thank Chairman Waxman and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for holding this hearing to highlight the moral, ethical, and public health concerns with abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

"The National Council of Jewish Women believes in and resolves to work for comprehensive human sexuality education programs in public schools. In 2007, we initiated Plan A: NCJW's Campaign for Contraceptive Access to secure and protect women's and girl's access to contraceptive information and options. As part of this campaign, NCJW members from around the country have assessed the status of sexuality education in their communities. NCJW members in Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, Tennessee, and many other states, have seen firsthand how abstinence-only-until marriage programs fail to meet the needs of young people.

"In too many schools, students receive incomplete, medically inaccurate sexuality education. As a religiously affiliated organization committed to the separation between religion and state, NCJW is particularly concerned that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, using federal taxpayer dollars, frequently seek to impose one particular religious viewpoint about sex on all students, regardless of their individual religious traditions. It is critical that science and public health -- not religious views or ideologies -- determine the sexuality education that young people receive in our country's public schools.

"In order to make responsible, healthy decisions, young people need -- and society has a moral obligation to provide -- medically accurate, age-appropriate information about sex and sexuality. Comprehensive sexuality education teaches that abstinence is the only sure way to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but also provides accurate information about contraceptive options so that individuals can make informed life decisions.

"The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. For this reason and those detailed above, on behalf of NCJW, I strongly urge Congress to eliminate all federal funding for abstinence-only-until marriage programs. A small minority must not be allowed to impose its religious beliefs about sexuality education upon all Americans. This not only violates the constitutional separation of religion and state, but endangers the health and lives of our nation's young people."

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

Contact:
Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 x5; emily@ncjwdc.org