YOUTH AT RISK…… RH BILL, ANYONE?

There is now a raging controversy and a national debate on the Reproductive

Health Bill sponsored several pro-Reproductive Health(RH) advocates in the lower
house .The bill is now in the plenary and the subject of heated and emotional debates
from the pros and cons.

This subject has a great impact to the adolescent youth group, which comprises
a big chunk of our population and which stands to be most affected by this legislation.

One of the salient provisions of the proposed bill in on the subject of Age
Appropriate Mandatory Reproductive Health and Sexuality Education, which the
proposed legislation stipulates, would be taught by adequately trained teachers from
Grade 5 up to the 4th year high school. The following subjects are recommended:

a.)Reproductive Health and sexual rights

b.)Reproductive health care and services
c.)attitudes, beliefs and values on sexual development, sexual behavior and sexual
health
d.)responsible parenthood
e.)use and application of natural an modern family planning method, f)abstinence before
marriage
g.)prevention and control against STI/HIV/AIDS, among others.

It is therefore evident, that the proposed legislation does not promote sex
education perse, but proposes an array of subjects which will be a great learning
experience to all the adolescent youths of my age.

Studies would reveal that there is now a pressing challenge on the large
incidence of unplanned teenage pregnancies and their ill-consequences. Many of the
young continue to experience unplanned pregnancies for which they are not
physiologically, emotionally and economically prepared., Same studies would show that
a sizeable number of young girls had their first sexual activity without their approval
,indicating a need to raise their awareness and capacity to manage gender relations
and provide sexuality information to many young people, which the bill proposes to
provide.

Those against the bill are vocal in their fear that the proposed legislation would
only emboldened the adolescent youth in engaging in premarital sex considering that
they will now be exposed to a greater level of sexuality information. The law says no. In
fact its intention is to start educating the youth at an early age, Grade V because it is at
this stage that the youth would need to have the right information on their sexuality. The
need to know the various physical changes undergoing in their body, not telling them to
engage in sexual activities. The parents responsibility would not be taken away from
them, but rather it would even be reinforced with the proper education on reproductive
health and responsible parenthood.

I agree in the essence of the law on the so called Informed Choice – meaning,
giving the couples the right and liberty to decide for themselves – when and how to do
it, or what method to use, according to their belief, culture and personal character. It
means further, giving men and women the right to be informed and to have access to
safe, effective and affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice,
whether natural or artificial.

Therefore, I would like to appeal to those who may be for or against the proposed
law. Let us respect each others opinion.