CEDAW/C/PHI/5-6
revealed that hazardous occupational health settings have negative effects on menstrual,
ovulatory and hormonal patterns, with consequences for fertility of couples and fecundity
of women; pregnancy outcomes, such as increased risk of fetal loss, pre-maturity, low
birth weight, congenital defects and disease in the offspring; and infection-related
infertility and infant mortality aggravated by exposure to chemical and physical
pollutants. Other studies are discussed in Article 11.
b. In 1995, the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s Studies (UCWS)
undertook a three-year women’s health research consortium, in partnership with two
other academic research centers and six women NGOs. Funded by the UNFPA, the
project provided information and methodology to understand and address women’s
concerns. The research focused on women’s perception of reproductive rights, user’s
perspectives on fertility regulating technologies (FRT), and link between violence against
women and women’s health problems. Findings revealed that despite the unwillingness
of women to exercise their rights in the reproductive process, a conception of
reproductive rights dominates women’s thinking about their sexuality and roles in
society. The studies also noted that awareness of FRT is high but a free and informed
choice is not a reality for women due to inadequate information, lack of services and
gender domination. Women had limited power to refuse sexual relations, as they were
aware that violence was a likely result of such negotiations (UCWS 2001). The studies
concluded that active participation of men in fertility regulation should be promoted and
biomedical research expanded into men-friendly FRT.
c. The Ford Foundation sponsored several research and publications on women’s
reproductive health and rights coordinated by the UCWS. One study examined the
construction of gender and reproductive roles across two generations in a rural
community. It stressed the need to formulate sexuality and contraceptive education
programs in the context of gender identities and roles, with masculine and feminine roles
redefined so that marital and family relations will be characterized not only by sanctity,
harmony and respect, but also by equity and equality between women and men across
generations. Three studies explored gender relations and reproductive health topics in the
Visayas: one on marital separation, another on traditional fertility control practices of
indigenous peoples of Panay Island, and a third on date rape and sexual aggression in
dating situations.
Some NGO efforts on women’s and girls’ health
472. Since 1994, Childhope Asia Philippines has conducted, as part of its street education project for
street children, health education sessions on primary health care, HIV/AIDS, STD, common
illnesses, and adolescent sexuality and reproductive health. Between 1994 and 1998, the health
education sessions reached 3,907 children, while its primary health services benefited 5,808
children. From the last quarter of 1998 to 1999, Childhope began to disaggregate data by sex. It
counted 485 street girls who benefited from medical and health services, and 198 street girls
who attended sessions on personal hygiene, STD and HIV prevention, and sex education.
473. In 1995-1996, Lunduyan (formerly Children’s Laboratory Foundation) waged an educationadvocacy campaign in six barangays in Quezon City. It sponsored six poster and slogan
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