Lack Of Sex Education In The Philippines: Why It Still Prevails?

Jul 27, 2021
The lack of sex education in the Philippines can lead to unprotected sex, an increase in the number of HIV cases, and unwanted pregnancy.

The lack of sex education in the Philippines can lead to unprotected sex, an increase in the number of HIV and STD cases, and unwanted pregnancy.

If you are wondering ‘what is sex ed exactly?’ and 'why is it important?' here Corner4men will give you a brief answer. The topic covers everything from bodily development, sexuality, and sex. Filipino sex education is getting the attention it deserves and the country is working to improve youth’s access to contraceptives.

students lack of sex education in the Philippines

Filipino sex education is getting the attention it deserves and the country is working to improve youth’s access to contraceptives

 

 

The Responsible Parenthood And Reproductive Health Act

After 14 years and even a longer wait for a solution to address the lack of sex education in the Philippines, the country finally passed the RH Act (short for Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012). The act means that now, sex ed is part of the public school education for students from 10 to 19 years old. The government also subsidizes or funds contraceptives at public schools and health centers.

The Act is passed in answer to a serious problem of unwanted pregnancy, the rise in the number of HIV cases, and infant mortality. What is even more serious is the rate of teen pregnancy in the Philippines. It is estimated that the figure is 9% of women between 15 and 19 years old.

teen pregnancy lack of sex education in the Philippines

What is even more serious is the rate of teen pregnancy in the Philippines

 

 

 

The lack of sex education in the Philippines is thought to be the consequence of overpopulation and poverty, so the reproductive health act aims to raise awareness and help people make wiser decisions.

The government wants to give the population equal access to benefits of sex education in the Philippines all while increase women’s access to needed services to exercise their reproductive rights. Some of the most notable measures are making sure the public has access to family planning information and employing skilled health workers.

Upbringing a child is more than just feeding and sending him or her to school, what parents are usually concerned about is how to teach their children good manners and right conduct, so sex ed is more than just important as young parents aren't mature enough to know how to educate a child.

Sex Education In The Philippines Faces Opposition From The Catholic Church

Approximately 80% of the Philippines population follow Roman Catholic, thus the church has a heavy impact on the success of the Reproductive Health Act in the Philippines.

Roman Catholic forbids pre-marital sexual relations so it fears that the implementation of sex education in the Philippines will increase sex outside of marriage.

teen pregnancy

Roman Catholic forbids pre-marital sexual relations

 

 

The Catholic Church also criticizes the distribution of contraceptives and prefer the education from parents to teach children about this sensitive subject. The problem here is, not many parents dare to bring the issue to their children nor know how to do it right.

The Implementation of the RH Act

In a bid to lower the poverty rate in the country, Rodrigo Duerte – the Philippine President ordered a free distribution of contraceptives for over 6 million female citizen back in 2017. This move followed a 2015 restraint order put on the RH Act. However, the order was lifted not long after that to solve the problem of the lack of sex education in the Philippines.

Save the Children Philippines, in 2019, showed its support for the Teenage Pregnancy bill and the requirement that public schools integrate CSE (Comprehensive Sexuality Education) into the curriculum. The organization wants to lower the rate of teen pregnancy in the country. Comprehensive Sexuality Education discusses matters including sexual violence, contraceptives, as well as consent.

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Discussions About Sex Ed In Philippines

Apart from the effort from the government to tackle the lack of sex education in the Philippines, there are other organizations working toward the same target.

In Puerto Princesa and Palawan, the Roots of Health – an NGO is giving lessons regarding reproductive health to women. The organization starts with classes at Puerto Princesa-based Palawan State University taught by the two founders Dr. Amina Evangelista Swanepoel and Dr. Susan Evangelista. The initiative later develops into free health services for female citizens.

Roots of Health Philippines

In Puerto Princesa and Palawan, the Roots of Health – an NGO is giving lessons regarding reproductive health to women

 

 

The organization has all kinds of services relating to reproductive healthcare. By 2018, they had assisted over 20,000 adolescents and women in the region.

This is still a controversial subject in the country but the importance of sex education in the Philippines is undeniable. So in the future, expect to see conversations regarding the problem between the government, NGO, and the church, as well as research papers and articles about the benefits of proper sex ed. 

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