WEDPRO

URGENTLY NEEDED:

A National Reproductive Health Policy

13 August 2003

Reproductive health is central and essential to an individual’s well-being.  IT IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE enshrined in various international human rights covenants the Philippines is a signatory to.  Therefore, any health policy statement and corresponding programs initiated by the Government must lead to respect for, protection, and fulfillment of human  rights.  Government actions draw power from the people as part of the state.  Thus, government must uphold the principle of “separation of church and state” in its intentions and actions. 

 RH is a human condition that has at its core the reproductive and sexual health needs of individuals and couples within their contexts and life situation. This involves the physical, emotional, and mental experiences that individuals and couples go through during their lifespan.

RH is not just family planning or birth control.  It is not about abortion. Unfortunately, misinformation and disinformation on what RH is all about continue to be perpetuated by parties whose seeming objectives are to discriminate women and young girls, in particular, and deprive them of their rights.

RH involves the understanding and analysis of the human condition of individuals and couples towards the formulation of a comprehensive response to the needs of all women, men and young people in terms of their reproduction, sexuality, and total well-being.  These needs and issues are closely intertwined with the socio-economic, cultural and political conditions of everyday living. These factors, coupled with the pervasive gender inequities and inequalities that exist in our society,  affect the state of women's health. Crucial to this is the protection and promotion of human rights and entitlements to a better quality of life.

RH is a development issue covered by the Gender and Development (GAD) policy of this government.  There are existing mechanisms wherein these needs could be addressed. The condition and quality of the reproductive and sexual health of individuals and couples impact on poverty, environment and natural resources, degradation and access to basic services (i.e., healthcare, housing, education, clean water).  At present, we are faced with the following challenges:

Maternal mortality ratio for women aged 15-49 is 172/100,000 live births; for women aged 15-24 the rate is 21%.

Contraceptive prevalence rate among married women aged 15-49 is only 47.81%.; more than half of women in this age group do not use any form of contraception.  This puts them at risk of unintended pregnancies.

Estimated abortion rate annually is 25 per 1000 women aged 15-44; over 400,000 induced abortions a year and 80,000 of which end up in complications.

98% of victims of intra-family and household violence were women with an average age of 23 years. 

2.5 million Filipino youths (26% boys; 10% girls) aged 15-24 had their first sexual intercourse at 18 years of age. 

1.8 million sexually active youths do not use any method to prevent pregnancy.

Around 40% of the 80 million Filipinos are poor and have to survive with a daily income of less than  P38 a day.  Poor women who are unable to exercise control over their bodies and fertility have to contend with the difficulties of caring and providing even the basic needs of their families.

It is a non-responsive and irrelevant governance when State policy statements do not reflect an objective understanding of, and response to a human rights concern such as people's sexual and reproductive health rights.

WE NEED A COMPREHENSIVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH POLICY.  AND WE NEED IT NOW.   

For more details about this campaign, please send an email to any of the following: Bukluran ng Kababaihan sa Lansangan (BUKAL) <bukal_qc@yahoo.com>, Mina Ladlad of Agusan del Norte Community Outreach Resources (ANCOR) <3ML@msn.com>, Emelina Quintillan of the Pacific Institute for Women's Health <equintillan@piwh.org>, Aida Santos <afs@pacific.net.ph>, or Marlea Muñez of WEDPRO <hzb@pacific.net.ph>.