What is your opinion about the practice of family planning? Are you for it or against it?
I am in favor of the practice of family planning. According to UNFPA (n.d.), in the year 2017 in the Philippines, there are 2.6 million married women and 5.1 million unmarried women who would like to use family planning but were unable to. This shows that there is still a visible need for family planning. In my opinion, one of the reasons why family planning is still considered an unmet need in the country is because of the influence of religion. It cannot be denied that religion still plays a huge role in designing the laws and programs our country has. Therefore, family planning, including reproductive health education is still considered a taboo in the country. This leads to lacking programs, services, and educational materials that center on family planning. Since there is still a stigma surrounding this topic, most women and the younger generation are unaware of the correct choices that should be made to promote their reproductive rights. Lack of family planning is also associated with child mortality and maternal mortality. However, these may be preventable if proper family planning is accessible to everyone. I also believe that the term ‘family planning’ is misunderstood by some Filipinos. Some would only associate it to the use of contraceptives. However, family planning services does not only cover contraceptive use, it is a broad service that covers the following:
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Pregnancy testing and counseling
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Pregnancy-achieving services including preconception health services
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Basic infertility services
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STD services
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Patient education and counseling on reproductive health
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Breast and pelvic examinations
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Breast and cervical cancer screening
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STD infection and HIV prevention education, counseling, testing and referral
All these are essential in lowering the maternal morbidity and mortality as well as child mortality in the country.
Are you in favor of the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions? Elaborate your answer.
Yes, I am in favor of the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions. I believe that this law is able to promote the reproductive rights of people, especially women. One of its provisions is to ensure that there is ethical and medically safe, legal, accessible, affordable, non-abortifacient, effective and quality reproductive health care services and supplies, especially to the poor and marginalized. I specifically agree with this one because, as I’ve said before, the lack of family planning methods, especially in the poor, is one of the factors that contribute to maternal and child mortality. With the implementation of this law, the marginalized may be given access to family planning education and materials.
On the other hand, I would also like to disagree with the provision that states that abortion should remain illegal in the country. I know that abortion is still one of the most controversial topics in the country right now. However, we must also remember that one of the leading causes of maternal mortalityis unsafe abortion. Even if it is included in the RH law that women needing post-abortive complications should be treated and counseled, it is not enough. This is because some women, especially those who are experiencing unexpected pregnancies, victims of sexual violence, and complications from pregnancy, may still opt to have an abortion instead of continuing the pregnancy. Cases of abortion will not 100% be removed from the country. Thus, I think that it would be better if women are presented with a medically-safe option instead of pursuing unsafe abortion which may potentially cause more consequences.
References:
Cabral, E. (2013). Reproductive health law in the Philippines. https://www.asean-endocrinejournal.org/index.php/JAFES/article/view/48/471#:~:text=In%20his%20view%2C%20the%20RH,of%20a%20fertilized%20ovum%20and
GovPH. (n.d.). Republic act 10354: The responsible parenthood and reproductive health act of 2012. https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-10354/
ODPHP. (2022). Family planning. https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/family-planning
UNFPA. (n.d.). Family planning. https://philippines.unfpa.org/en/node/15304