The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations in the Philippines, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have called on the Philippines for the immediate passage of the adolescent pregnancy bill.
This group said the legislation is crucial in addressing the rising rates of adolescent pregnancy and ensuring the well-being of young people in the country.
"Having legislation that ensures access to essential reproductive health services is a crucial step towards a more equitable and sustainable future, where every young person can thrive and reach their full potential," said Gustavo González, UN resident coordinator in the Philippines.
"Adolescent pregnancy is also not just a health issue, but a social and economic one as well. This bill will help us address the root causes of adolescent pregnancy, including lack of access to education and health services."
The proposed legislation aims to provide a comprehensive national framework for preventing adolescent pregnancies and ensuring the well-being of young children in the Philippines. While the House of Representatives has approved the bill, its progress in the Senate has stalled, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Recognizing the pressing need, the UN agencies are collaborating on the KOICA-funded Joint Programme on Accelerating the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy (JPARAP) in Southern Leyte and Samar. This program focuses on strengthening comprehensive sexuality education and improving access to adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services.
Data from the Philippines' Commission on Population and Development underscore the urgency of the situation, revealing a 10.2% increase in live births by girls aged 10-19 between 2021 and 2022.
KOICA also expressed its strong support for the bill. "We believe that investing in young people is essential for sustainable development. In addition to celebrating 75 years of Korea-Philippines diplomatic relations and 30 years of KOICA's presence in the Philippines, this bill will inspire us to strengthen our assistance to the country's health projects. We assure you of KOICA's continuing support and commitment not only for better health and well-being but also a brighter future for young Filipinos," said KOICA Country Director Kim Eunsub.
UNFPA stresses the bill's necessity of removing barriers to healthcare access for adolescents. Young people under 18 require written parental consent for family planning services, which can significantly hinder their access to essential care.
"Adolescent pregnancy can result in significant health risks, including increased rates of preventable maternal and infant deaths, as well as the dangerous practice of unsafe abortions. Having a comprehensive framework to address this urgent issue and to protect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young Filipinos will help empower adolescents to make informed choices about their bodies and pave the way for better futures," said UNFPA Philippines Country Representative Dr. Leila Saiji Joudane.
Meanwhile, UNICEF underscored the importance of protecting the rights and aspirations of young girls.
"Adolescent girls' dreams to learn and get decent jobs should not be cut short. UNICEF is committed to supporting girls through laws, policies, and programs that prioritize their rights, their agency, and opportunities to pursue their dreams and to prevent early and unintended pregnancies.
This bill needs to retain clauses that better define the roles and accountability of duty bearers, which can help everyone in the community work together to tackle the social factors that lead to more teen pregnancies," said Behzad Noubary, UNICEF Philippines Representative a.i.
"These girls have the right to be informed about decisions that affect their lives. They need support, not stigma and blame," he said.
The World Health Organization also recognizes that addressing adolescent pregnancy is a global health and development priority.
"Addressing adolescent pregnancy is part of the global health and development agenda. Together with partners, WHO Philippines continues to address adolescent pregnancy by supporting national programs and policies. Rights-based policies alongside community-based care and evidence-informed interventions are crucial to strengthening frameworks and strategies to scale up interventions and collective action from various sectors, agencies, and communities," said Dr Graham Harrison, Officer-in-Charge of WHO Philippines.
The UN agencies and KOICA call on all stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and young people, to unite in advocating for the passage of the adolescent pregnancy bill to create a brighter future for the Philippines.
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