Lawmakers Hear Arguments for Comprehensive Sex Education and Anti-Teen Pregnancy Legislation as Congress Winds Down
The passage of the anti-adolescent pregnancy bill in the Philippines has faced a significant setback due to a campaign launched by a religious coalition known as Project Dalisay. This coalition, which opposes the bill, has been instrumental in stalling years of progress on the legislation, primarily due to conservative and religious objections to the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) included in the bill.
Project Dalisay's campaign has had a profound impact on the broader discourse surrounding CSE in the Philippines. By casting CSE in a negative light and often equating it with morally objectionable content, the coalition has contributed to public resistance and political challenges in implementing and expanding CSE programs. This resistance has made it more challenging to provide young people with accurate, age-appropriate information that could help reduce adolescent pregnancy rates and promote sexual health.
The demonstration for the anti-adolescent pregnancies bill took place in Manila, Philippines on February 5, 2022, and was attended by various groups, including youth, workers, and parents. These groups called for the passage of the bill and the continued implementation of CSE. Despite the setbacks, efforts to advance the bill and promote CSE continue, with the hope that accurate and comprehensive sexuality education will become more widely available to young people in the Philippines.
It is important to note that Project Dalisay has made false claims about CSE, stating that it will teach children about sex at an early age. However, CSE is a scientifically and rights-based educational approach that provides young people with age-appropriate information to help them understand their bodies, relationships, and sexual health.
For those interested, a report about the anti-adolescent pregnancies bill demonstration in Manila, Philippines on February 5, 2022, can be watched on our website. The report was produced by Michelle Abad, Ulysis Pontanares, Jen Agbuya, and supervised by Beth Frondoso.
[1] Abad, M., Pontanares, U., Agbuya, J., & Frondoso, B. (2022). Report on the Anti-Adolescent Pregnancies Bill Demonstration in Manila, Philippines. Retrieved from www.ourwebsite.com
[2] Project Dalisay Campaign Derails Anti-Adolescent Pregnancies Bill. (2022, February 6). Retrieved from www.newsoutlet.com
- The ongoing debate about the anti-adolescent pregnancy bill in the Philippines, particularly the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) included in it, highlights the intersection of education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and policy-and-legislation, with politics playing a significant role in shaping the discourse.
- Despite the setbacks faced by the anti-adolescent pregnancy bill, passionate advocates continue to push for its passage and for the implementation of CSE programs, emphasizing their importance in promoting sexual health and general-news relevant to young people.
- In light of the misinformation spread by groups like Project Dalisay, it is crucial to engage in open discussions and promote learning about CSE, to ensure that young people can make informed decisions about their sexual health and future.
