As of March 2007, ninety-two percent of Filipinos want to control the size of their families but need the government's help in doing so, according to a survey conducted by Pulse Asia. The lack of protection for reproductive health contributes not only to overpopulation issues but also to the increase in cases of sexually transmitted diseases in the country.
Thus, many groups are now lobbying for the Reproductive Health Bill or House Bill 5043, which aims to promote choices for family planning and age-appropriate reproductive health education; provide goods, services, and information; and create a nationwide reproductive health program.
However, the RH bill is often misunderstood as a pro-abortion bill and an attack on religious beliefs. Marie Claire Philippine Edition tries to clear misconceptions about the bill with these facts:
- The RH bill promotes the right of every Filipino woman to complete and correct information about how to take charge of her reproductive health.
- It clearly states that abortion remains a punishable crime. But because there still are women who undergo induced illegal abortion, the bill provides that those who need care because of complications from the procedures will not be judged, turned away, or refused medical care.
- The bill does not promote promiscuity. More often, it is miseducation or the lack of education that leads to promiscuity.
- It’s not an attack on any religion, nor does it encourage anyone from cutting ties with their religion.
- It does not undermine parental influence.
- It does not strictly require but merely recommends families to have two children only, as this may be more manageable for couples with very little income.
Check out this month's issue of Marie Claire to learn more about their RH campaign.
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