What is your opinion about the practice of family planning? Are you for it or against it?
Every couple has the freedom to choose how they want to build their family, and family planning can help in this process. Family planning is also made to protect women from any health risks that may occur before, during, or after childbirth, and protects both parties from the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (TMC, 2020).
Since the start of the pandemic and the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in 2020, the Philippine population has increased by 1 million in a year and the lockdowns have caused an increase in unplanned pregnancies, where 1 in 3 births are unplanned (The Initiative, 2021). This increase is expected as nearly 80% of the population is Roman Catholic which has beliefs against the use of contraceptives.
As a woman of reproductive age, I am in favor of the practice of family planning, and the continuing growth of the country’s population and the rising number of unwanted and teen pregnancies just strengthen my stand.
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, as the law sees the best interest of women of reproductive age like me, as well as my same-aged opposite gendered peers.
The comprehensive reproductive health law ensures that RH services and education are provided to the public, especially high-risk groups and the marginalized (Simon, 2013). The RH law offers solutions to the ongoing increase of teen and unplanned pregnancies, further lowering maternal death, preterm labor, STI transmission, etc. With most of the Filipino people being Christian, reproductive health is considered quite a taboo topic, and the implementation of the RH Law can help open the conversation and make it the norm, especially because unprotected premarital sex is prevalent, and even rampant in marginalized areas. I see the RH Law as a stepping stone in the education of the youth regarding safe sex, and healthy pregnancy and childbirth.
As a woman in her early twenties, I believe that there must not be a life made without proper planning and good decision-making; and with the implementation of the RH Law, individuals are being given the chance to make informed decisions regarding their health and their future families as well.
Reference:
Simon, F.M. (2013). A Primer on the Reproductive Health Law. Philippine Legislator’s Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. Retrieved from https://www.plcpd.org.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/A-primer-on-the-Reproductive-Health-Law.pdf
The Initiative PH. (2021). Unplanned pregnancies and maternal deaths rise in the Philippines. Retrieved from https://theinitiativeph.org/a-blog?id=61023b62f7b4b8e76aff434c
The Medical City. (2020). Importance of family planning. Retrieved from https://www.themedicalcity.com/news/family-planning-basic-human-right#:~:text=Family%20planning%20helps%20protect%20women,%2C%20infections%2C%20miscarriage%20and%20stillbirth.