The changes to the draft strategy contradict Wolfowitz’ statements made earlier today. When asked by NPR if there were “any changes in the Bank’s policies in reproductive health and family planning,” Wolfowitz responded “Absolutely not.” He went on to say, “Let me make it very clear. Our policy hasn’t changed.” He later added, “It is a development issue. The policy of this institution I think was very clear before I got here and it will remain very clear.”
“If Wolfowitz’ statements today are true, this means that either he or the board was forced to overrule the ideological directives of the top Bank official in charge of these topic areas,” stated Edwards.
According to the Population and Reproductive Health Note on the World Bank’s own Web site, the family planning priority is well-placed: There are approximately 75 million unplanned pregnancies a year, one-third of which result in unsafe abortions.
Nonetheless, the proposed HNP Strategy omits all commitment to family planning in Bank-funded operations. When setting out “Future Directions for the Bank,” the strategy states:
Bank population and reproductive health policy advice in these countries [Note: primarily high-fertility countries in Sub-Saharan Africa] will emphasize options for improving demand for reproductive health advice and services by strengthening female education, improving women’s economic opportunities and reducing gender disparities.
The lack of reference to family planning or contraception in this statement is a glaring omission.
Daboub, who directed his staff to delete family planning from the draft HNP Strategy, is the former Finance Minister of El Salvador and a member of that country’s ARENA party. ARENA is closely identified with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, which, in contrast to the more progressive pastoral clergy in Central America, opposes contraception and equal rights for women. Daboub is scheduled to speak at the Vatican on May 2, according to the Acton Institute, as shown here: http://www.acton.org/centesimusannus/07.05.02.php. Daboub was hired by Wolfowitz in April 2006.
All of this comes at a rocky time in World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz’ tenure at the Bank. Over the past few weeks, GAP has released information showing that Wolfowitz’ girlfriend (and fellow staffer) received raises above and beyond those allowable under Bank rules, that said-girlfriend worked as a consultant to a defense contractor during the run up to the Iraq War (a violation of Bank rules), and that the Bank was slow to notify its staff when an Iraqi colleague was shot in Baghdad. The spring World Bank meetings begin this weekend, with the Board of Governors, the Bank’s highest authority, meeting on Saturday and Sunday. This Board has the authority to issue a “no confidence” vote on Wolfowitz.
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