Advocates during the 2024 Media Conference on the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill and World Population Day Celebration (Photo by: Benedicto Briones/PNA)
QUEZON CITY (PIA) — The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) finds it imperative for the Philippine Congress to seriously consider the idea of passing a legislative bill that would effectively address the rising number of teen pregnancies in the Philippines.
Citing a new report presented during the 2024 Media Conference on the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill and World Population Day Celebration, panelist Normina Mojica from the CWC underscored the urgency for lawmakers to pass the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill.
According to 2022 data referred to by Mojica, one in 10 pregnancies in the country involved girls aged 15–19, while registered live births among girls under 15 increased from 2,320 in 2021 to 3,135.
“These statistics are alarming and highlight the critical need to address the root causes of adolescent pregnancies,” the CWC representative said during the summit.
In calling for an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill, Mojica cited the need to tackle the issue by providing comprehensive sex education, increasing access to reproductive healthcare, and supporting young mothers through social programs.
Drawing from her own experience of becoming a mother at 17, Mojica emphasized the importance of open communication and education to empower youth to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
“Knowing that their family will be there to understand and support them no matter what happens makes a difference,” Mojica said. “Children need to feel safe and supported to create an environment where they can develop and learn without worrying about judgment or punishment.”
Other than the CWC’s Mojica, the event also saw representatives from the Commission on Population and Development, the Philippine Commission on Women, and the Legislator’s Committee on Population and Development.
Advocates in attendance collectively stood firm on the urgent need to come up with a law on adolescent pregnancy prevention, which they described as crucial in protecting the health and future of the younger generations. (GLDG/PIA-NCR)
