My Body, My Own
The Commission on Population Region III in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched the 2021 State if World Population Report yesterday, May 19. The report titled "My Body is My own: Claiming the Right to Autonomy and Self-Determination" stresses the right of every individual to have autonomy in making decisions regarding their bodies and the
power to make choices without violence or coer ci on.
Kayti Christian of The Good Trade defines bodily autonomy as the "right to governance over our own bodies." For women in particular, the right to bodily autonomy has three dimensions: the power to say no, the power to decide on contraception, and the power to decide on healthcare. It is significant that these aspects be made understood and accepted by women for them to be able to protect their health and well-being.
The UNFPA reports citing a recent study that only one out of four women was not able to say no to sex. While this data shows that there are more women who are capable of asserting themselves when it comes to sexual contact and affairs, there is however a higher number of women who cannot decide on health care. The same study also revealed that 55% percent of the women respondents in the 57 countries included in the survey were able to say that they can decide on sexual consent, health care, and contraception. UNFPA human rights adviser Emilie Filmer-Wilson said that if a woman is able to decide for herself on these three aspects, then she is seen as empowered.
In the Filipino setting,
which is a predominantly Catholic nation, women are told to submit themselves to the patriarch in the family. This maybe a father or a husband, and in either situation, a woman who cannot decide freely for herself can be taken as a woman whose human rights are violated. A married woman has the right to refuse sexual contact anytime, and a violation of this right may be regarded as a form of physical and sexual abuse. Catholic or not, all women must be free to say no if she wishes to protect herself from any harm that may be imposed on her.
To all my fellow women, and also all the young girls out there, we have to assert our rights, be responsible in terms of our sexual health, and promote self-love. It is only ourselves who can take care of our own bodies, and if we don't do this, no one else will.