FORUM, CPD, and Bayer Collaborate for World Contraception Day 2024, Advocating for Transformative Power of Contraception Knowledge and Family Planning Access
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By Louis Justin “Kahel” J. Rebadolla
Taguig City – Every year on September 26th, the world celebrates World Contraception Day. This celebration is a campaign to raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly among adolescents and youth which are directly left behind and experience SRHR issues. By providing young people with accurate, non-judgmental information on contraceptive methods and related sexuality and reproductive health topics, we empower them to make informed choices and take control of their lives.
As the Philippines marks World Contraception Day, the Commission on Population and Development, The Forum for Family Planning and Development Inc., and Bayer Philippines have joined forces under this year’s global theme: "Empowering Choices, One Decision at a Time." This collaboration aims to normalize discussions and boost awareness around family planning and reproductive health in the country.
Angel-Michael Evangelista, Managing Director and Country Division Head – Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Philippines Inc., said that, "As we commemorate World Contraception Day, our goal remains the same – a world where every pregnancy is wanted, and where reproductive health and family planning decisions are made with full awareness. Our goal is to empower young people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health, one decision at a time."
CPD Executive Director V, Undersecretary Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Ph.D., highlighted the country's challenges: "The alarming rise in adolescent pregnancies, especially among minors, points to serious concerns like sexual abuse. By raising awareness and strengthening family planning services, we can empower young people to make responsible choices and take control of their futures."
Dr. Corazon Raymundo, President of The Forum, added, "Young people often get their information on sex from peers or unreliable online sources. If accurate information becomes more accessible, youth can make empowered choices and share reliable knowledge with their peers. In today’s digital age, we must put more trustworthy content online to combat misinformation."
The Role of Social Media in Family Planning Decisions
Despite efforts to increase awareness in the use of contraceptive methods and family planning in the Philippines, there are significant barriers till prevent many people from accessing services such as lack of knowledge and societal and cultural limitations. With more young people turning to digital platforms for information on sexual and reproductive health, this year's CPD, Forum, and Bayer collaboration also unveiled the results of a study on how social media influences FP decisions.
The study conducted by CPD and BAYER PH on their Facebook accounts and posting between October 2023 and January 2024, they surveyed 1,336 respondents and found that most visited CPD’s and Bayer’s pages to gain family planning information. The findings revealed that 80.61% of CPD’s respondents and 81.63% of Bayer’s said the information helped them make contraceptive decisions, while others cited personal reasons—such as religion or culture—for not using contraception.
77.41% of CPD’s respondents and 78.79% of Bayer’s indicated they visited a facility for family planning services after seeing posts on social media. Overall, 71.24% of CPD’s and 78.99% of Bayer’s respondents found digital platforms helpful in their family planning and SRHR journey.
Given these findings, social media exposure has a significant effect on the contraceptive decisions of Filipinos and should be leveraged to further increase awareness and influence positive attitudes towards family planning methods. Mylene Quiray, Acting Division Chief of the Knowledge Management and Communications Division of CPD, pointed out that, “The majority of those who visited the pages intend to use family planning, but want to know which method is best for them. Those who were led to the page by relatives or friends demonstrate the important role that social networks play in influencing the family planning journey of Filipinos.”
She added, “Social media and digital platforms help the general population improve their knowledge of contraceptive options, fertility awareness, and the location of health facilities. These platforms play a crucial role in connecting individuals to accurate information and services."
Kevin De Vera, Director of Programs and Advocacy at The Forum, shared insights during a media conference panel: "This study shows how crucial social media is in the dissemination of reproductive health information. However, it also highlights how misinformation can spread online. We must ensure that trusted, expert voices provide this information, especially on topics like sexuality, reproductive health, and family planning."
Challenges in Accessing Information and Services
Despite the digital progress, De Vera stressed that barriers such as the digital divide persist: "Not all young people in the Philippines have reliable internet access, and even those who do may not have the digital literacy needed to navigate online spaces. This leads to ‘information poverty,’ particularly in marginalized communities."
While nearly half of global pregnancies are unintended, with 121 million unintended pregnancies annually, the Philippines still ranks 56th out of 160 countries. The 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey revealed an increasing trend of pregnancies among young girls aged 15 to 19, and even younger, at ages 10 to 14. Despite this, many Filipino women continue to rely on traditional FP methods, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen awareness and access to modern contraceptive methods.
Collaboration for Change
De Vera calls on the government and policymakers to address the digital divide and to invest in expanding digital infrastructure, especially in rural areas: "We need to ensure no young person is left behind. This should go hand in hand with digital literacy initiatives and comprehensive sexuality education—both online and offline."
He concluded with a plea to legislators: “To our Senators, we hope you give an early Christmas gift to the Filipino youth and pass Senate Bill 1979, the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy Act of 2023.”
The fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the Philippines requires the concerted efforts of government agencies, NGOs, civil society, private sector partners, and communities. The stakes are high, and collaboration is the only way forward to ensure equitable access to family planning services and protect the next generation.