Service for victims of VAW is available but it lacks proper information
dissemination. As a result, victims would hide because of shame.
Lack of information of treatment of STDs.
The community is not informed about tract cancer.
Access to Family Planning Services
Traditional and Modern Forms of Contraception
In all the Regions, most women are able to access family planning services, including
traditional and modern forms of contraception. Among the services available to women
are natural and artificial family planning and counselling for married couples, ante-natal
care, immunization for pregnant women, post-natal care. In many areas such as in Region
4, during pre-marital counseling which all couples are required to undergo before
marriage, family planning is the first topic discussed.
The exceptions are for women in the hinterlands who do not have access to information
regarding family planning and maternal health services. In these areas (i.e. in Regions 5
and 6), even when they want to practice family planning, the only method available to
them is traditional/natural method. In some cultures especially among the IPs, the
preference is for natural family planning methods. For some IPs in Region 9, for example,
it is not part of their culture to use artificial contraceptives. They have traditional
knowledge and use herbs and plants for contraception.
Others simply choose not to access RH goods and services: lesbians who become
pregnant are too ashamed to avail of RH services; Moros say that it is forbidden by
culture; Badjaos are ashamed of accessing healthcare since healthcare providers belittle
them due to their lack of hygiene; the youth are also ashamed of approaching the
barangay for RH services (Region 7).
The youth also generally do not have access to family planning services without the
consent of their parents. No adolescent, and youth medical services including sex
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