Answer the following questions and post your answers here. Cite references if possible.
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What do you think are the reasons of high unmet need of FP in the Philippines?
First and foremost, we should recognize the deep-seated patriarchal society of the Philippines. There is an existing social stigma to the use of family planning (especially to abortion) because it does not come off naturally to the conservative population of the Philippines. In addition, we are also highly religious and some believe that this impedes the christian fate to save lives.
There is also a great lack of government response to family planning. The lack of family planning dissemination including the cheap (or even free) distribution of family planning devices such as condoms, birth control pills and IUs does not aid the global development goals to promote the use of family planning.
Lastly, there is a widespread misinformation towards the use of family planning. Also affected by the lack of proper dispensing of information, there is a tendency for fake news and fear-mongering to be spread about contraceptives. In turn, mothers fear the “adverse side effects” that is marketed to them about family planning devices and they also become agents to the possible spread of these misinformation.
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What are ways you can suggest to increase the practice of FP in the country? Give least 1-2 suggestions.
Empower women to be educated and informed. To increase the practice of family planning in the country, we should start by increasing the education rates of women and girls to make decisions about having children. This includes making more avenues to be informed about family planning such as communication programs, appropriate counseling services and mass-oriented dissemination of information. There should also be initiatives to correct the misconceptions of people so as to not put FP in a bad light.
Of course, we should also start by ensuring that the family planning program has sufficient support and funding from the government. Without a well established health system, we will not be able to hold family planning on the pedestal wherein we get to recommend it to our patients, or even to our family members. A commitment, especially a political commitment and financial commitment is necessary to ensure the flow of supplies and build an effective health program. Leadership of government is critical in ensuring that we secure proper budget allocation and the adequate attention for problems to be addressed.