WGNRR Calls for Urgent Passage of Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill

January 20, 2025

The Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) and partners stand in strong solidarity with advocates, civil society organizations, stakeholders, and policymakers in the Philippines in supporting the passage of Senate Bill No. 1979, also known as the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Bill (PAP Bill). 

We are deeply concerned that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced his intention to veto Senate Bill 1979 in ‘its current form,’ just days after emphasizing that ‘the teaching of sex education in our schools is very, very, very important.’ This contradiction to his position is disheartening, especially given the severity of the adolescent pregnancy crisis in the Philippines. Moreover, it is alarming that his decision seems to have been influenced by the spread of misinformation and disinformation about the bill.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a pressing human rights issue. For a young girl, an unintended pregnancy could mean stopping school and taking on responsibilities they should not have to bear at such a young age.

In 2020, over 56,000 live births were recorded among adolescent mothers in the Philippines, including 51 aged 10 to 12.1 Many cases involved statutory rape, exploitation, and older partners. Conversations about sex are not commonly held within families, leaving many without trusted guidance. Only 1 in 10 youth reported having discussions about sex at home, while 44% of girls and 39% of boys stated that they lack access to any reliable material sources of information about sex.2 A lack of accessible sexual health education leaves 4 in 10 young Filipinos uninformed,3 with most relying on social media, which makes them vulnerable to misinformation, exploitation, unsafe practices, and exposure to online predators.

These statistics reflect the lived experiences of many young Filipinos and underscore the urgent need for a national policy that not only prevents adolescent pregnancies but also institutionalizes social protections for adolescent parents. Families, schools, institutions, stakeholders, and duty-bearers must collaborate to ensure that young people have access to comprehensive services and information—beyond basic anatomy and disease prevention. 

The bill aims to strengthen the implementation of CSE, which is already mandated by law. CSE plays a critical role in fostering understanding of consent and healthy boundaries—a cornerstone in preventing gender-based violence (GBV). As GBV continues to rise, equipping young girls with knowledge becomes crucial in helping them recognize acts of manipulation and reject practices that perpetuate exploitation, abuse, and coercion.

It will be delivered in a medically accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive manner. With this, we can help every young girl in the Philippines make informed decisions, take responsible actions, empower them to assert their rights, and build relationships based on respect.

CSE does not remove the role of parents. Instead, parents and guardians will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to guide, counsel, and support their children in making informed decisions about their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). 

It is misguided to label teachers as “strangers” who should not be entrusted with teaching students CSE. After all, don’t we refer to them as second parents? The bill, when passed, will ensure training for teachers, guidance counselors, and school officials on adolescent health, development, and gender sensitivity. 

Furthermore, evidence4 has consistently demonstrated that CSE does not increase sexual activity or risk-taking behaviors. Instead, it has been shown to delay sexual initiation and significantly reduce unintended pregnancies, childbearing, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

We urge everyone to be critical and vigilant of the misinformation and disinformation circulating surrounding the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP) Bill. This is a deliberate attempt to manipulate the narrative through fabrication and falsehoods, using fear-mongering and deception to obstruct critical progress.

Before issuing a veto, we strongly urge the President—and likewise call on legislators—to revisit and thoroughly study the bill, offering recommendations for improvement rather than deliberately opposing and dismissing this critical measure designed to protect and uphold the rights and welfare of teenage parents and every young Filipino.

It is time to pass Senate Bill 1979: Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy bill!

Get Involved:

  • Support and Defend CSE: Join us in advocating for Comprehensive Sexuality Education and the urgent passage of Senate Bill 1979: Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy.
  • Counter Misinformation: Help spread accurate information about the benefits of CSE and the PAP Bill through your networks and social media platforms. Follow the Defend CSE Facebook page to help spread the truth.
  • Join Our Advocacy: Follow us for updates and learn how you can contribute to this vital cause.

References:

  1. Chua, H. (2022, February 28). Keep teenage pregnancy rate low – Gatchalian. Philippine Institute for Development Studies. https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/keep-teenage-pregnancy-rate-low-gatchalian ↩︎
  2. University of the Philippines Population Institute (2022, October 14). Zoom in, zoom out:
    Filipino youth in focus [PowerPoint slides]. Population Institute, College of Social Sciences and
    Philosophy, University of the Philippines. https://www.uppi.upd.edu.ph/sites/default/files/pdf/
    YAFS5_National Dissemination_Slides_FINAL.pdf
    ↩︎
  3. University of the Philippines Population Institute. (2023, February 10). Position paper of faculty members of the University of the Philippines Population Institute on the proposed “Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2022”. University of the Philippines Population Institute. https://www.uppi.upd.edu.ph/news/2023/uppi-position-paper-on-adolescent-pregnancy-act ↩︎
  4. Here are the sources that support the claim regarding the Impact of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): ↩︎
  1. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0089692&type=printable
  2. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000235707
  3. A Cochrane review of 41 randomized controlled trials in  Europe,  the  United  States, Nigeria and Mexico also confirmed that CSE prevents unintended adolescent pregnancies (Oringanje et al, 2009)
  4. A comparison study in Kenya, involving more than 6,000 students who had received  sexuality  education  led  to  delayed  sexual  initiation  compared to  more  than  6,000  students  who  did  not  receive  sexuality  education (Maticka-Tyndale, 2010)
  5. A  review  of  22  curriculum-based  sexuality  education  programmes  found  that  80% of  programmes that addressed gender or power relations were  associated  with  a  significant  decrease  in pregnancy, childbearing  or  STIs. 
    •  These  programmes  were  five  times  as effective  as  those programmes  that  did  not  address  gender or  power  (Haberland,  2015).  
    • CSE  empowers  young people to  reflect  critically  on  their  environment  and  behaviours,  and promotes  gender  equality  and  equitable  social  norms,  which are important contributing factors for improving health outcomes, including HIV infection rates.
  6. CSE in Indonesia (Setara): The positive changes cited include:
    •  increased comfort when talking about puberty and body-related topics; 
    • feeling more positive about the changes happening because of puberty; considering gender equality more important; 
    • feeling safer from bullying; 
    • increased self-confidence; and increased comfort with experiences of romantic/sexual attraction