Teenage pregnancy is a widespread issue in the Philippines. In a press statement released on Monday, Lisa Grace Bersales, the executive director of the CPD, highlighted that there was a 35.13 percent increase in the total number of live births among girls under 15 years old, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The figures rose from 2,320 in 2021 to 3,135 in 2022, which is really alarming.  

What is the actual underlying cause of teenage pregnancy?

According to EMN (2020), curiosity and early exposure to sexual activities have been attributed as the main cause of teenage pregnancy. Without considering the potential consequence, some teenagers are attempting it with their partners or even with men they don't personally know. In short, they lack of sex education and knowledge about contraceptive devices.

Even older students in the conservative, predominately Catholic Philippines learn very little about how to become pregnant or, more urgently, according to many officials and health professionals, how to avoid becoming pregnant. The majority of Filipinos are not very accepting of this, but now is the right moment for them to understand the value of sex education.

Implementing sex education in school setting is necessary because it provides education on subjects pertaining to human sexuality, including human anatomy, reproductive health, sexual activity, emotional bonds, rights and responsibilities regarding reproduction, abstinence, contraception, and other aspects of sexual behavior. Therefore, sex education also covers a range of topics related to sexuality, including family planning, reproductive processes (fertilization, conception, embryonic and fetal development, and childbirth), and information about an individual's sexual orientation, body image, sexual satisfaction, values, decision-making, communication, dating, relationships, STIs, prevention strategies, and contraceptive methods. With all that being said, sex education is not about about teaching how to make a baby. It is more than that. Students can use their learning to deeply understand all the aspects regarding sexuality by the time they reached adulthood. They will also be wise in decision making because they already know the consequences of doing it.

In implementing this, teachers should be provided with specialized training in sexual education so they know how to handle delicate subjects with caution and delicacy in order to enhance classroom instruction. Guest speakers like medical professionals or sexual health educators ought to be invited. 

As I said, teenage pregnancy is one of the top problem here in the Philippines so if we didn't take action educating them, the child will be the one who will suffer and poverty rate will be higher.

Overall, by signing this petition we can help students to acquire knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions about their sexual health, we can empower them to lead healthier and safer lives. We urge education authorities to heed this call and prioritize the implementation of comprehensive sex education in secondary schools.

With all of your help, we can make a difference.

Thank you. 

Why Philippines needs sex education? (2012, October 16). Travel. Photography. Fashion. Opinions. Stories. https://thegreatmustache.wordpress.com/must-read-articles/why-philippines-needs-sex-education/

E. (2020, September 19). Curiosity Accounts For Main Cause Of Teenage Pregnancy - Eastern Mirror. Eastern Mirror. https://easternmirrornagaland.com/curiosity-accounts-for-main-cause-of-teenage-pregnancy

/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1218253