NGO Seeks End To Misleading Information Versus Sex Education; Says Teenage Pregnancies A National Social Emergency
- The Forum
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
February 3, 2025 (OneNews)
The Forum for Family Planning and Development, a non-government organization comprised of health, population, economics, and social development experts, raised concerns about the growing spread of misleading information against Comprehensive Sexuality Education or CSE.
As a long-standing advocate for adolescent reproductive health, The Forum reaffirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday, Feb. 4, its commitment to supporting key government agencies and legislative champions in upholding the rights of young Filipinos to life-saving, age- and development-appropriate CSE.
On Feb. 5, The Forum will join fellow CSE advocates and defenders in a social mobilization, and urged for support in this activity.
Data in 2023 from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that one in every 10 pregnancies occurred on teenagers. The data also showed an increasing rate of under-15-year-old girls becoming mothers over the past years. In 2023 alone 3,343 under-15 girls were reported to have delivered their first child.
“As a nation, we should be alarmed,” Kevin de Vera, director for programs and advocacy of The Forum, said. “All teenage pregnancies are high risk; a teenage girl’s body is not physically ready for pregnancy. Teen pregnancy results in life-threatening complications and pose socioeconomic challenges to their families.”
Dr. Ernesto Pernia, former Socioeconomic Planning secretary and a trustee of The Forum, said “the alarming cases of teenage pregnancies are not just statistics – they represent a national social emergency.”
“The economic and social costs of early pregnancies are profound, perpetuating cycles of poverty and limiting opportunities for young women. CSE is not merely an academic subject but a necessary intervention to help Filipino families, through our professional and caring educators, equip our adolescents with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their reproductive health,” he added.
The Forum stressed the need for immediate action with the alarming rise in adolescent pregnancies.
“Without urgent action, we risk compromising years of progress and the future of our young generation – and ultimately, the nation’s development," Pernia noted.
In 2019, Pernia declared teen pregnancy as a national social emergency, and supported the filing of a measure to address the issue.
Former Department of Health secretary Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan, also a trustee of The Forum, pointed out that a”dolescent pregnancy is a public health crisis that demands evidence-based solutions.”
“We cannot ignore the reality that lack of proper education and access to reproductive health services leads to poor maternal health outcomes and lost opportunities for young women. School-based CSE is an essential, life-saving tool that empowers our youth to take charge of their future. A nation that invests in the well-being of its young people invests in a healthier, more prosperous society,” Galvez-Tan said.
Social scientist Dr. Corazon Raymundo, president of The Forum and Pasig City Councilor, stated:
"For decades, data has shown us the urgent need to address adolescent reproductive health. The challenges of early pregnancy, unprotected sexual activity, and lack of access to proper education continue to threaten the well-being of Filipino youth. CSE is not just about knowledge – it is about empowerment, health, and securing a better future for young people. If we fail to act decisively, we are failing an entire generation. The time for debate has passed; the time for action is now."
The Forum calls on policymakers, educators, and communities to stand firm in ensuring that young people receive the education and support they need to make informed, responsible decisions about their reproductive health.
Misleading narratives undermining these efforts must be challenged with facts, science, and a shared commitment to protecting the nation’s youth, it said. Read more: https://www.onenews.ph/articles/ngo-seeks-end-to-misleading-information-versus-sex-education-says-teenage-pregnancies-a-national-social-emergency