Oral statement presented by CRR together with WGNRR and MAYA at the 4th UPR of the Philippines
The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), in collaboration with the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights and Maguindanao Alliance of Youth Advocates (MAYA), presented an oral statement on SRHR at the 4th Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines last March 27, 2023. The recording of the statement delivery is available here, with Tarhata Guiomla of MAYA speaking at exactly 2:48:50.
Full transcript of the speech:
Mister President,
The Center for Reproductive Rights in collaboration with the Maguindanao Alliance of Youth Advocates welcomes the Philippines’ engagement with the 4th Universal Periodic Review cycle and its acceptance of recommendations on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including those to pursue effective measures to reduce maternal mortality and protect adolescents girls; ensure universal access to healthcare, including SRH for women and girls; improve access to public health services for all including SRH services in rural areas, sustain improvement in antenatal and postpartum care and delivery, and increase access to modern contraceptives.
We urge the Philippines to take immediate steps to ensure the full implementation of these accepted recommendations.
We also reiterate our call to respect, protect, and fulfill adolescents’ SRHR by fully implementing the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act and to:
(a) provide comprehensive sexuality education in both informal and formal educational systems;
(b) recognize adolescents’ evolving capacities and remove third-party consent requirements to acknowledge their competence to seek and access SRH commodities and services, including emergency contraceptives, abortion, and post-abortion care.
We express our concern that the Philippines did not accept recommendations on the comprehensive anti-discrimination law that seeks to protect LGBTIQ persons and other persons in vulnerable positions, and those to decriminalize abortion and ensure access to safe abortion care. Given the heightened stigma and discrimination faced by marginalized individuals and the harmful impact of restrictive laws on achieving gender equality, we urge the Philippines to reconsider its position and accept and implement these recommendations without delay.
Thank you, Mister President.
*Ends*