Sexual Health and Empowerment - Philippines

This project seeks to improve the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of women and girls in the Philippines particularly those living in remote conflict affected and disadvantaged communities. In line with the priorities of the Philippines’ Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law the project will support efforts to improve access to vital information and services particularly for family planning and help build the capacity of civil society and women’s rights organizations to effectively deliver programs and advocacies on SRHR and gender-based violence (GBV) prevention. Project activities include: (i) training of peer educators to raise awareness on SRHR and GBV; (ii) conducting targeted educational campaigns and interactive learning events in communities to promote positive sexual and reproductive health behavior particularly among women girls and boys; (iii) training of health providers to improve provision of sexual and reproductive health information and services particularly for family planning; (iv) providing technical assistance to health facilities to improve referral mechanisms for sexual and reproductive health services; (v) providing institutional support to civil society and women’s rights organizations to improve their organizational and programming capacity; (vi) providing assistance to develop knowledge products that can influence policies and practice on SRHR; and (vii) supporting advocacy campaigns on SRHR related policies at the national and local level. This project is expected to benefit over 85 000 individuals particularly women and girls.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) enhanced utilization of gender-responsive sexual and reproductive health information and services (public and private) by women of reproductive age adolescent girls and boys; and (2) improved effectiveness of women’s rights organizations to advance rights related to sexual and reproductive health and prevention of gender-based violence.