Washington Post Examines Philippine Government's 'Rejection' Of Contraception, Link To Poverty

Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 23 Apr 2008 - 10:00 PST

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The Washington Post on Monday examined the Philippine government's "rejection" of contraception and how its support for only "natural" family planning methods correlates with increasing poverty in the country. The Philippines has the highest birth and poverty rates in Asia, and many studies have found a "compelling link" between large families and poverty, according to the Post. Government surveys in the country have found that low-income families have significantly more unintended pregnancies than wealthier families and much more difficulty accessing affordable contraceptives.

According to the Post, about four out of every five people in the Philippines are Roman Catholic, and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has said the national government will support only natural family planning and that national government funds cannot be used to purchase contraceptives for low-income people. Although local governments are permitted to purchase and distribute contraceptives, many cannot afford to do so, the Post reports. In addition, a program that distributes contraceptives at clinics and a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded contraception-distribution program both are scheduled to end this year, the Post reports.

Suneeta Mukherjee, country representative for UNFPA, said that access to contraceptives for low-income women "will be restricted" when USAID stops distributing contraceptives. For years USAID has supplied most of the condoms, pills and IUDs used by the poor, according to the Post. Mukherjee added that a decrease in use of contraceptives likely will lead to an increase in abortions. Although abortion is illegal in the country, a 2006 study found that about 473,000 abortions take place annually and that 80% of abortions result in complications requiring medical treatment.

Public opinion polls have found that about 90% of people in the country support government funding of contraceptives, the Post reports. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines declined to comment on its family planning policies. Although USAID will stop donating contraceptives, it has increased funding to provide technical assistance to 700 local governments "to help the private sector to grow the market" for contraceptives from $12 million to $15 million, the Post reports.

According to the Post, the lack of aggressive family planning programs and the resulting increased birth rate in the Philippines are affecting the country's food security. Prices of rice have increased as the country has begun to import rice to keep up with an increased demand. Although there are other "powerful reasons for poverty," there is evidence throughout Asia that shows "good population policy by itself contributes to significant poverty reduction," Ernesto Pernia, an economics professor at the University of the Philippines, said (Harden, Washington Post, 4/21).

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