By Eliza Bussey
　　WASHINGTON, DC (Reuters Health) - In an effort to give more women around the world access to contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, US based Planned Parenthood is expanding its women's reproductive rights campaign to El Salvador and Vietnam.
　　``Every individual, regardless of where she or he may live, has the fundamental right to make their own reproductive decisions, regardless of geography, regardless of any other factor,'' said Gloria Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
　　At a reception here Thursday, Jorge Hernandez, executive director, Asociacion Demografica Salvadorena, said he was delighted to be partnering with Planned Parenthood of Tucson, Arizona, saying the exchange of information will be of benefit to both countries.
　　``Forty-six percent of our population is under the age of 20,'' Hernandez said. ``Many of these adolescents are poor and don't have enough access and information about contraception and about protecting themselves from AIDS, and it is important for us to end the machismo mentality, and empower women so they can plan their families and have hope for their future,'' Hernandez said.
　　Planned Parenthood Global Partners will also be working with adolescents at risk in Vietnam, said Nancy Sasaki, president, Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles. ``Vietnam is starting to see an increase in their teenage pregnancy, and they have some of the highest abortion rates in any country in the world,'' said Sasaki.
　　Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), praised by Planned Parenthood, for ``his long record as champion of women's health and abortion rights,'' told supporters he would continue to fight ``the global gag rule (that) keeps women around the world from getting the help they want and need.''
　　``Everywhere I go, women and families are counting on you, counting on us to help them around the world, he said. ``They want family planning, they want to restrict the size of their families. They need the information, they need the contraceptive help and support that we can give them.''
　　Harkin said political pressure is putting the Supreme Court's Roe vs. Wade decision on abortion in jeopardy, and urged women's reproductive rights advocates to make their voices known on Capitol Hill.

(From Yahoo)