Sexual Health and Empowerment: Briefer on Teenage Pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy was declared a national social emergency by the Philippine government in 2019 and is a compelling advocacy issue in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

This Briefer on Teenage Pregnancy serves as a succinct reference material and guide for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs), government agencies, service providers, and other stakeholders in understanding the teenage pregnancy situation in the Philippines and the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy. 

The Briefer can be used in advocating for the prevention and reduction of teenage pregnancy cases in the country. It contains strategies and approaches that promote open, healthy, and respectful discussions on positive sexuality, gender, relationships, bodily rights, autonomy, and decision-making, all of which are important considerations guiding Filipino adolescents.

It is produced as part of the Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) project, which seeks to empower women and girls to secure their sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in six disadvantaged and conflict affected regions of the Philippines. SHE works to improve knowledge and awareness of SRHR, including the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV), particularly among women and girls. 

SHE is a partnership of 12 organizations working in Region V (Bicol), Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region X (Northern Mindanao), Region XIII (Caraga) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). SHE endeavours to strengthen health systems and community structures to deliver rights-based comprehensive SRH information and services and improve the effectiveness and capacity of WROs and women’s movements to advance SRHR and prevent GBV.

SHE believes that Filipino adolescents, who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood, have the right to exercise their SRHR, towards the attainment of their full potential and enjoyment of good quality life, free from harm, abuse, discrimination, and stigma.