๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
A multisectoral and intergenerational ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐จ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ (๐๐๐๐ ๐) was convened to support policy action to prevent adolescent pregnancy. The landmark 15-year cohort study following the lives of select Filipino adolescents across key development milestones is being supported by UNFPA Philippines.
Dr. Judith Borja from the University of San Carlos, consultant and lead investigator of the study, presented the key findings from the LCSFC, focusing on human capital development, key life-course milestones, pubertal transition and risk factors, the adverse impact of adolescent pregnancy and early unions on education, physical, and mental health, and child, early, and forced marriage and unions (CEFMU).
Representatives from Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, Commission on Higher Education(CHED), Department of Labor and Employment – DOLE, TESDA, and Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines shared updates and efforts of their agencies in relation to the findings of the cohort study and the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.
PLCPD Advocacy Officer Charmen Balana shared updates on the APP Bill, the challenges, and opportunities for partnership and collaboration while PLCPD Knowledge Resource Center Director Angie Ramirez discussed strategy areas and key priority actions for legislative advocacy.
Rep. Sarah Elago, representative of GABRIELA Partylist, PLCPD Board member, and one of the principal authors of the APP Bill, called for continued dialogue, collective action, and unity in advancing sexual and reproductive health rights in ensuring a more equitable future for the Filipino youth.
The RTD convened legislative and congressional staff from the offices of Sen. Pia Cayetano, Rep. Sarah Elago, Rep. Krisel Lagman, Rep. Perci Cendaรฑa, Rep. Leila de Lima, Rep. Yedda Romualdez, Rep. Katrina Chua-Tai, and Rep. Giselle Maceda, along with committee secretariat representatives from the Committee on Youth and Sports Development, the Committee on Women and Gender Equality, the Committee on the Welfare of Children, and the Committee on Health.