Editorial

Fill the gaps

Quality conversations about love, sexuality, and relationships are still difficult to achieve between parents and children in the country, which is one of the reasons why cases of teenage pregnancy are rising, according to the Department of Health (DOH), Commission on Population and Development (PopCom), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). PopCom chief, in one DOH press releases, cited the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality study which showed that “only 10% of Filipino youth reported that sexuality was discussed in their homes and that young people are likely to consult their peers for questions about sexuality.” This reflects a gap between parents and children, making issues on the aforementioned topics unattended and unresolved in various households. 

As a response, DOH, PopCom, and USAID utilized Facebook as a main tool to formulate parenting strategies given the alarming rate of teenage pregnancies in the country. Through a Facebook page, Konektado Tayo PH, pertinent information about love, sexuality, and relationships are provided and discussions on such matters are comprehensively conducted by experts. To date, the said online campaign had already reached more than 13 million people. Also, engagements based on statistics are from 35 to 54 age groups, which are the intended audience for the campaign.

Aside from communication gap, there are structural and cultural problems that teenagers have to hurdle to overcome their circumstances.

One of the pressing issues teenagers face is the lack of access to safe sexual and reproductive health services especially amidst COVID-19. Despite the existing Republic Act 10354 or the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, teenagers still have difficulties in accessing services such as contraception and comprehensive sex education. A media release from Relief Web, which reflects a collective call of women’s groups for unhampered delivery of reproductive health services, emphasized that the protection and promotion of the rights of women and girls have to be prioritized. A survey by Oxfam also revealed that due to COVID-19, a shift of priorities in the health system has strained the movement and protection of women and girls making them vulnerable to maternal and neonatal deaths, infant death, miscarriage, gender-based violence, unintended pregnancies, and child, early and forced marriage.

Another layer of issue that teenagers experience is the culture of shame and embarrassment that limits meaningful dialogues on the said matters. The prominence of deep-rooted Asian cultural beliefs in the country makes discussions about sex education a “taboo”. As a result, pregnant teenagers are forced to feel guilty or ashamed since communities and families are not typically accepting. Oftentimes, the burden is only imposed on girls or women, making it difficult for them to continue their education, find jobs, or achieve their dreams in life.

To fill the gaps in reproductive health, a holistic approach – ensuring communication, strengthening education, allowing access of services, and achieving progress in all existing structures, belief systems, and cultures – must be done.