A new study from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed an alarming rise in the number of babies born to very young mothers. In 2023, there were 3,343 babies born to girls aged 10 to 14 years old. This number has been increasing each year:
- In 2020, 2,113 babies were born to mothers under 15.
- In 2021, the number went up to 2,320.
- In 2022, it reached 3,135.
This troubling trend was discussed during a press conference by the Child Rights Network (CRN), which included child rights advocates calling on the Philippine government, including senators and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., to carefully consider Senate Bill 1979. This bill aims to prevent adolescent pregnancies.
The Need for Sex Education
Au Quilala, a key advocate, emphasized the importance of teaching proper sex education to young people. She said the government needs to ensure children have accurate, life-saving information to help prevent early pregnancies. According to Quilala, many children do not have access to the right information and instead rely on sources like the internet, which can sometimes provide false or misleading details.
A study from the Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study found that the internet is the most common place young people turn to for information about sex, even more than their parents or teachers. This can be risky, as not all information found online is true or safe.
Danger of Misinformation
The PSA study also found that many young people, especially young girls and boys, lack proper resources to learn about sex. They often get their information from unreliable sources like social media. Quilala warned that it’s dangerous when children rely on the internet for education without being able to tell if the information is true. Some children also face abuse from their parents or guardians, and Quilala highlighted the need to protect them from such harm.
Why Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) Matters
Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) is crucial because it helps children feel safe and supported to talk about their problems. CSE encourages young people to speak up if they are being abused or if they have concerns about their safety. It also helps prevent situations where children might fall victim to abuse, especially from family members.
Teen Pregnancy and School Dropouts
Teen pregnancy is one of the main reasons why many young girls drop out of school, with almost 60% of school dropouts linked to early pregnancies. This not only affects the girls’ future but also costs the country billions of pesos in lost opportunities. Quilala urged the government to act now before the situation worsens.
Call for Action
Earlier, CRN urged President Marcos and the Senate to review the substitute bill for Senate Bill 1979 carefully. The bill seeks to protect young people from early pregnancies and the dangers that come with them. Some senators withdrew their support for the bill, but President Marcos stated he would review the substitute bill to decide on his stance.
It is crucial for the government to act quickly to protect young girls from the harmful consequences of early pregnancies and to provide them with the education and resources they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.
