Giving women the power of choice
Giving women the power to choose what’s best for their body and for their family’s health is one of the foremost objectives of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, which is now on full implementation.
Part of Reproductive Health Law’s mandate is to offer relevant advice and information on both natural and modern family planning methods that women can adopt depending on their beliefs, requirements and wants.
The Department of Health has proceeded with the distribution of the 51 different types of contraceptives approved by the Food and Drug Administration to beneficiaries nationwide, which include Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), which are 99-percent effective in preventing women from getting pregnant for a certain number of years.
For many women, family planning allows them to uphold their rights and promote gender equality. A significant aspect of the women’s rights movement is giving women the autonomy to make decisions about their reproductive and sexual health.
For instance, Joan, a housewife, revels in the joys of motherhood but is also looking forward to the time when the children are all grown up so she can have more time for herself.
“Three children are enough,” she said and her husband respects her decision. She admits to taking contraceptive pills as a family planning method.
Meanwhile, Phoebe, operations manager for a pharmaceutical company, is very satisfied about her decision not to have any more children.
“We have two boys now, ages 14 and 9. My husband originally wanted five kids,” she shared.
She recalls how she “shattered” her husband’s dream of a large family.
“I think if given the chance to speak up, he might want more,” she laughed. “Not for me, though. No more plans of adding another kid…I cannot imagine that at all. Hindi ko na kakayanin.”
Like Joan, Phoebe is taking advantage of her liberty to decide what’s best for her body and ultimately, for her family. By using contraceptives to prevent future pregnancies, she feels empowered as a woman to be able to both nurture her family while balancing a rewarding career.
“I was able to go back to work,” she said. “I can provide both needs and some wants of my children, as well as my own.”
Like many women, Joan and Phoebe see family planning gives them the option of birth spacing and limiting the number of children that they, together with their husbands, can love and properly care for.