Over 7 million Pinays use modern contraceptives

The number of women who use modern contraceptives in the country has reached 7.1 million this year, a 1.2 million increase since the Reproductive Health Law was passed in 2012.

This was based on the country report on the Philippines of Family Planning 2020, a global partnership that supports the rights of women and girls to freely decide whether, when, and how many children they want to have.

According to the report, the 7.1 million users of modern contraceptives covered those aged 15 to 49.

The report included the following in modern contraceptive method mix: condom, pills, injectables, implants, intrauterine device, female sterilization and lactational amenorrhea.

Likewise, the rate of modern contraceptive use among married women has increased to 41.2 percent this year from 37.4 percent in 2012.

The Family Planning 2020 report also revealed that the use of modern contraceptives by at least seven million women has prevented over 2.5 million unintended pregnancies, around 600,000 unsafe abortions and 1,200 maternal deaths between July 2017 and July 2018 alone.

Slow climb

The hike in the rate of modern contraceptive use among married women on a yearly basis, however, remains sparse. From 37.4 percent in 2012, it increased to 38.2 percent in 2013, 38.9 in 2014, 39.4 percent in 2015, 40 percent in 2016, 40.6 percent in 2017 and finally to 41.2 percent this year.

Moreover, only nearly one-in-three married women aged 15-49 in the Philippines or 30.9 percent still have unmet need for modern contraception.

Executive Director Beth Schlachter of Family Planning 2020 underscored that the use of modern contraceptives is crucial because rights-based family planning is a catalyst that unlocks the potential of girls and women in the Philippines and the world.

“There can be no healthy population globally or in the Philippines without reproductive health care. Our goal is to ensure that each one is able to exercise her basic rights to self-determination, health, dignity, and equality. This is a linchpin strategy for countries to improve the health and well-being of their citizens and economy,” Schlachter said.

“As we continue to build the framework for Universal Health Coverage, we must ensure access to full, free, voluntary contraception is included for all women and girls. As countries build UHC strategies, rights-based family planning and  Sexual and reproductive health services must be integrated within primary health care systems,” Schlachter added.

On a global scale, the report showed that the number of women and girls using a modern method of contraception in the world's 69 poorest countries has grown to 317 million as of July 2018 or 46 million more users than in 2012 when the Family Planning 2020 was launched. — RSJ, GMA News