What do you think are the reasons of high unmet need of FP in the Philippines?
There is a huge discrepancy between the number of rural and urban areas in the Philippines, and the former comprises the majority of today’s total population. If we would attribute the high unmet need of family planning in the Philippines, it would be the rural sector not utilizing these methods due to a plethora of personal, medical, and socioeconomic reasons. Women, in particular, are concerned about the side effects and potential health risks of contraceptive use, if not, they are absolutely unaware of the existence of contraceptives. While some partners, oppose the idea of contraceptive use due to the belief that it ‘diminishes the pleasure from sex’. Lastly, the cost of contraceptives is also a main concern reported from sexually active couples (Sedgh et al., 2016).
On the contrary, the reasons of high unmet need of family planning cannot be entirely blamed on the people. It is very unfortunate that only a certain percentage of the rural population have access to quality education and have accessible and functioning health centers to accommodate the needs of its constituents. This has been a common trend in the less developed countries and not only in the Philippines.
Aside from the aforementioned reasons, the country’s predominant practiced religion somehow discourages couples from practicing family planning. Catholicism underscores the tradition ‘to go forth and multiply’ which is contrary to the aims of family planning. The belief of the religion is heavily anchored on patriarchal ideologies that women should bear children and should only stay home and be mothers. This backward thinking reinforces the idea that women should not hinder the natural process giving birth because children are ‘God’s gift’.
It is not a sin to prioritize women’s health and well-being if it means that they will not suffer the medical and socioeconomic consequences of unwanted pregnancies. Aside from this, it is only about time that women should have the freedom to choose what they want for their bodies and for their future.
What are ways you can suggest increasing the practice of FP in the country? Give least 1-2 suggestions.
As I have suggested before, make women’s health centers more accessible most especially to rural areas. Actively educate people on the principles of family planning and help the less fortunate understand how families should be well-planned and desired on the right time, place and situation.
Second, encourage both men and women to use contraceptive methods by increasing public information dissemination. Make this seen from commonly accessed places like malls, hospitals, and schools. If possible in the near future, include sex education in the school curriculum.
Reference:
Sedgh, G., Ashford, L. S., & Hussain, R. (2016, June 21). Unmet Need for Contraception in Developing Countries: Examining Women’s Reasons for Not Using a Method. Guttmacher Institute. https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unmet-need-for-contraception-in-developing-countries