- What is your opinion about the practice of family planning? Are you for it or against it?
I am strongly for family planning as I believe that every couple has the RIGHT TO DECIDE on how they want their family to be including the number of children they want to have, when they want to have it, and the spacing of each pregnancy. Through knowing this right and the options available, the couple can make sensible decisions in the future. Through family planning, unwanted pregnancies and unplanned births are prevented, providing the children the chance to receive the love, care, and attention they deserve. In our country, abortion is illegal under all circumstances which are why women, tend to choose the option of unsafe abortion, putting risk on Filipino women contributing to the high maternal mortality rate in the Philippines. Following this, family planning also protects women by minimizing pregnancy complications that may arise before, during, and after delivery.
Family planning has endless benefits not just to the couple, but also to the country as a whole. Programs have been implemented regarding family planning however, I think the problem in the Philippines is that it is not accessible to all especially the poor.
2. Are you in favor of the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions? Elaborate your answer.
I am in favor of the Reproductive health law and its provisions. Especially in our country where poor families have more children than they originally intended resulting in neglect and abandonment, stripping off the innocent child of his/her right to a quality life, love, care, and attention. I believe that this law served as an equalizer in society especially in women as they feel more in control of their bodies and reproductive outcomes. However, our country being occupated by millions of Catholics opposes this law that integrates sex education in the curriculum. Teenage pregnancies are still at high rates with 504 teenagers giving birth per day in 2020. Sex education allows individuals especially teenagers to make an informed choice that aids in making them sexually responsible. Furthermore, children who fully understand their control over their bodies are not likely to be subjected to sexual assault and abuse.
Although in our country, our progress in fully embracing this law is slow, it is the right of the people to be informed about their options, making them in control of their life.
References:
Importance of Family Planning. (2020, May 4). The Medical City. https://www.themedicalcity.com/news/family-planning-basic-human-right
Philippine Supreme Court upholds historic reproductive health law. (2014, April 8). Center for Reproductive Rights. https://reproductiverights.org/philippine-supreme-court-upholds-historic-reproductive-health-law/