Demystifying abortion for young women in the Philippines.(SPOTLIGHT)

In the Philippines, punitive laws and puritanical views make access to safe abortion services very difficult for adult women. (1) This difficulty is even greater for young women, most of whom are financially dependent on their parents or not accorded adult privileges even when contributing to family income. Lack of funds (a surgical abortion in a clinic costs US$73-273 (2)), practically no information on safe methods and where to get them, and worrying about family reaction if found to have undergone abortion are more than enough reasons for most young women to continue the pregnancy.

Despite these impediments, induced abortions are common. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 473,000 induced abortions are done every year. (2) A nationwide survey of women of reproductive age also revealed that almost half of abortion attempts occur among young women: 16% among teenagers and 30% among women aged 20-24. (2) Because of the abovementioned obstacles, however, most young women resort to dangerous and unsafe abortion procedures. The Guttmacher Institute reports that 78,000 women are treated in hospitals yearly for complications due to abortion. Others are less fortunate--800 deaths due to abortion complications are estimated yearly. (2) Abortion is rarely discussed in the Philippines, even in the private realm, and the stigma associated with abortion is so strong that a young woman facing an unintended and unwanted pregnancy is still more likely to keep this to herself and settle for harmful and ineffective methods. Mainstream public discourse, on the other hand, tend to see abortions as "killing babies." Frames that feature the perspectives and realities of women who have abortions, argue for abortion as a woman's right, or raise unsafe abortion as a public health concern, are rarely used.

Demystifying Abortion. Given this context, some women's groups like Likhaan are focusing their efforts on creating and nurturing safe public spaces for discussing abortion. In doing this, Likhaan hopes that more women will break the silence and their isolation around the issue, share their situation with the organisations' health workers and learn about available options. Aside from speaking at schools, at events of other groups and in the media upon request, Likhaan conducts education sessions and film showings on abortion in various communities. Likhaan also reaches out to young women through its tie-up with PiLaKK Youth, an urban poor federation advocating for young women, gay and lesbian health rights, which also stages short plays featuring abortion and other related topics for grassroots communities. Providing initial input helps open young women's hearts and minds to know themselves better. This eventually helps them to make informed decisions ...