What Are the Benefits of Family Planning in the Philippines?
Family planning in the Philippines is a relatively new development in this predominantly Catholic country. Because of heavily entrenched Catholic beliefs, family planning--the idea that women get pregnant when they want to--has had many detractors. However, there is now an increasing number of advocates preaching the benefits of family planning and urging the government to implement family planning policies.
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History
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The Catholic church's influence in the Philippines has prevented many from seeking family planning advice and methods. Since the late 1970s, the population in the Philippines has doubled. Since 2001, the population has jumped from 77 million to 90 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. If access to family planning does not increase, says Population Action International, the population is expected to rise to 170 million in the next 30 years. Today, advocates are reaching out to the government to educate the public about family planning and implement family planning programs. Along with the economic benefits of family planning, it also reduces maternal deaths, enables women to work outside the home and socialize with others.
Economic Benefits
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The Philippines, which is already experiencing a serious rice shortage, would be able to decrease its dependence on foreign imports such as rice with fewer mouths to feed. Additionally, the Philippine government would be able to save millions in state revenue that would otherwise go toward addressing unintended pregnancies. The government spends 8.2 billion Philippine pesos in medical care for unintended pregnancies. If family planning were put in effect, it would only spend 0.6 billion Philippine pesos on unintended pregnancies and 4 billion on contraceptive services and supplies. That is a savings of almost 4 billion Philippine pesos.
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Reducing Maternal Deaths
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Many women die from pregnancy (or delivery) because they are too young (under 18 years old), too old (older than 35 years), have pregnancies that are too close to each other (less than 3 years apart) or have had too many pregnancies. According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, as many as 2,100 maternal deaths in the Philippines each year could be prevented with family planning. It could also prevent deaths related to ill-health resulting from unintended pregnancies. About 4,000 women die in the Philippines each year because of pregnancy-related causes.
Work Benefits
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According to Family Health International, family planning users are more likely to work than non-users because it gives women the time to seek work opportunities outside the home. Women in the Philippines have said that larger family size increase their household responsibilities and make them unable to seek paid work. More children also require more income, thus a vicious cycle is formed. Filipina women said they need more money to care for their children, but more children prevent them from seeking work opportunities. Family planning provides a solution to both issues.
Social Benefits
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Women in the Philippines who use family planning are more likely to join community activities, religious organizations and take part in community projects, the Family Health Organization says. Filipina women say these activities enabled them to socialize, interact with peers and generally raised their self-esteem. Family planning also increased their status at home, with many Filipina women saying they are equal decision-makers, enabling them to work and travel outside their communities.
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Comments
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yeeah I agree but wlang benefits ng mother.
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please add some benefits to mother, to father and to child. the complete detail.
