What is your opinion about the practice of family planning? Are you for it or against it?
Definitely for it. Family planning would give a couple or a family control over their lives. It can give both men and women time for themselves - for their own personal advancements and growth. This would help them flourish so that when they deem themself ready, they are mentally, physically and financially stable for a family, sparing children from emotional damage brought by a disorganized family (e.g. parentification).
FP would also significantly minimize unwanted pregnancies and thus unsafe abortion in the country. It would save the lives of many mothers and their unborn children, allowing families to be free of trauma caused by miscarriages or abortions. Aside from this, FP promotes good reproductive health for both men and women which contributes to their overall health and wellness. Having a healthy wellbeing can help the family function and achieve their potential. They can excel in their jobs, participate in their community more, and provide for their families, creating a better economy overall.
Are you in favor of the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions? Elaborate your answer.
Family planning is a human right and I think the RH law in the country is a step towards making it a reality for every Filipino. Having a universal and free access to many modern contraception commodities and post-abortion care for women would improve the health of many Filipinos. It can help them make informed and voluntary decisions about their lives, partners and families. In school, the reproductive health education mandated by the law may help decrease adolescent pregnancies, engagement in early sex and spread of sexually-transmitted infections.
With a high unmet need for family planning and contraceptive products and services, in the country, I believe the RH law and its provisions will be able to help. This 2022, the Manila Times reports that the population increase last year, was the lowest in 75 years in the Philippines. While the pandemic had a big impact on the decrease of population growth, the RH law was the backbone that supported parents, couples and families to postpone, plan and decide on their future.
REFERENCES:
Center for Reproductive Rights. (2014, April 8). Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Historic Reproductive Health Law | Center for Reproductive Rights. https://reproductiverights.org/philippine-supreme-court-upholds-historic-reproductive-health-law/
Department of HealtH. (2021). What are the benefits of using family planning?. https://doh.gov.ph/faqs/What-are-the-benefits-of-using-family-planning
Lagman, C. (2022, January 19). Efficacy of RH Law. The Manila Times; The Manila Times. https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/01/20/opinion/columns/efficacy-of-rh-law/1829965
United Nations Population Fund. (2018). Family planning is a human right. https://www.unfpa.org/press/family-planning-human-right