A Filipino feminist perspective on the RH bill debates

• Main Author: Peracullo, Jeane C.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2012
• Subjects: Reproductive health—Philippines; Reproductive health—Law and legislation—Philippines; Women's rights—Philippines; Family Law; Family, Life Course, and Society
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/13603
• Institution: De La Salle University

This article argues for the primacy of autonomy and self-determination in framing a perspective on the RH debate, as gleaned through the experience of Filipinas who must decide on: a) whether to limit the number of children they have, b) how to space the births, c) whether to terminate a pregnancy, or d) whether to use contraception. A Filipino feminist perspective on the RH debates claims that the mother is a person, a subject entitled to her own autonomy and self-determination. The paper posits that reproductive rights need to be situated in a framework that recognizes the complexity of women's needs in the sphere of reproduction. It further maintains that a truly Filipino feminist perspective on RH debates is anchored deeply within the lived experience of poor Filipinas burdened by caring for multiple children.