HIV :: Ashley Judd launches emergency contraceptive programme

After visiting sex workers and slum dwellers in Mumbai to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS, Hollywood actress Ashley Judd has launched an Emergency Contraceptive (EC) programme here, in the presence of actor Akshay Kumar.

Speaking after kicking off the programme last night, she said efforts to curb high maternal mortality rate needed to be intensified.

“All of us have to work together to combat it. Especially the state of Rajasthan has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in India with 670 deaths per 1,00,000 live births.

“I know Rajasthan has geographical problems, still I hope, with the help of Government of Rajasthan, PSI would be able to promote its emergency contraceptive programmes to cut down the maternal mortality rates,” she said.

“Women is the nucleus of the family and thus we need to preserve good healthy conditions for the fairer sex to promote her family,” she added.

She is in India on an invitation by Population Services International (PSI), a global initiative that generates funding for grassroot-level programmes. She is the youth AIDS global ambassador and is a board member of the organisation.

The EC project primarily aims at spreading the use of emergency contraceptives by providing easy access to such products and services, Judd said.

Addressing the women present, Akshay Kumar stressed on the use of contraceptive devices like condoms and said every man should involve his wife in family planning.


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