early sex - NCR

Issue No.1, Series of 2014
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trending in the metro
Its key challenges to adolescent health and
youth development in Metro Manila
B everly, 18 years old, tenderly caresses her two-
year old child as she puts her to sleep. As she lovingly stares
upon the angelic face of a tiny human being within her arms,
she often pray that her child be spared of the fate she has
unintentionally taken.
thecityZens
The CityZens is a periodic publication
of the Commission on PopulationNational Capital Region (PopComNCR) that discusses various emerging
population issues as they relate to
development concerns in Metro
Manila. CityZens indicate “people or
citizens living in the city.”
This issue focuses on the demographic
issues among adolescents and youth
in MetroManila in the context of
increasing incidence of teenage
pregnancies in the region.
While Beverly now considers her child as the best thing
that ever happened to her life, she often wonder what could
have happened if she did not give in to her boyfriend’s demand
for sex after their high school graduation. The feeling of regret
is persistent but she has to live by it with the lessons that life
has given her especially now that she’s raising the baby alone.
Beverly’s experience is increasingly becoming a familiar
life story among young people particularly in Metro Manila.
More and more adolescents and youth in the region have
begun childbearing and forced to be parents at a time when
they would have been busy enjoying adolescence and achieving
their dreams and aspirations.
The latest series of the Young Adult Fertility and
Sexuality Study (YAFSS, 2013) of the University of the
Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) and the 2013 National
Demographic and Health Survey (Philippine Statistics Authority)
has captured this alarming phenomenon. The incidence of teenage
pregnancy (among girls aged 15-19 years) in the region tripled in
the past decade – from 6.2 percent in 2002 to a high 17.7 percent
in 2013. Around 13.9 percent of them are currently mothers. This
proportion of teenage pregnancy in the region is the third highest
in the country.
one in five people in Metro
Manila is an adolescent...
2010 Census on Population
and Housing
The 2013 NDHS likewise affirms the high incidence of
teenage pregnancy. In Metro Manila, around one in every four
(24%) young people aged 15-24 years have begun childbearing.
Motherhood at a very young age entails a risk of maternal
death that is much greater than average, and the children of young
mothers have higher levels of morbidity and mortality (ICPD
PoA, 1994). Early childbearing continues to be an impediment
to improvement in the educational, economic, and social status
of women. Overall for young women, early marriage and early
motherhood can severely curtail educational and employment
opportunities and are likely to have a long-term, adverse impact
on their and their children’s quality of life.
engaging into Sex Too Early
The high teenage pregnancy in the
region is directly attributed to the high
incidence of sexual engagement at a young
age. According to the 2013 YAFSS, two in
five (41%) young people (15-24 years old) in
Metro Manila have engaged in premarital or
early sex - the highest incidence in the country.
This proportion is higher than the national
figure with 32% and significantly increased
from 31% in 2002.
The narrowing gap between the sexual
experience of teenage boys and girls is also
an emerging concern. In 2002, the YAFSS
recorded a 21 percentage of young women
who had premarital sex and 42 percent among
the boys. After a decade,however, the gap
between boys and girls narrowed to 35 percent
among girls and 48 percent among boys. This
means that young teenage girls are getting
more vulnerable to unintended and risky
pregnancy.
THE
METRO
YOUTH
TODAY!
• Nearly 7 in 10 young people engaged in
sex for the first time without protection
from STI and pregnancy
• Almost half of the youth have read
pornographic materials
• 2 in 3 youth have watched x-rated movies
or videos
• 1 in 3 youth have visited pornographic
sites from the internet
• i in 5 youth is in living-in arrangement the highest in the country
2
Source: 2013 YAFSS, UPPI
what can be done?
Teenage pregnancy is caused by the
confluence of complex variables ranging from
invidual to societal factors.
This alarming
phenomenon among urban young people takes a
peculiar context expecially within the backdrop
of heightened access to information. As such, a
multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral approach to
young people’s health and development is needed.
Some of the key interventions that can be
done in the region to prevent young people from
too early pregnancy include the following:
• Provision of comprehensive sexuality and
reproductive health education in the formal
and informal educational system as provided in
the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive
Health Law (RA 10354);
Adolescent Health and Youth Development
teenchat
The Adolescent Health and Youth
Development (AHYD) TeenChat is an interactive
interpersonal communication activity that uses
peer-to-peer approach to inform and educate
young people (aged 10-19 years) who are in and
out of school on matters related to their health,
sexuality, and wellbeing. It is patterned after the
U4U Teen Trail of the Center for Health Solutions
and Innovations (CHSI), a project under the UNFPA
7th Country Programme.
The TeenChat uses interactive approaches
such as games, videos, info-panels, structured
• Provision of appropriate health services in
adolescent-friendly health facilities especially
among sexually active and pregnant adolescents;
• Continuing capacity-building of young people
in the school and out of school on life skills,
values formation, and leadership skills;
• Enforcement of laws that protect young girls
and boys from sexual violence, exploitation,
and abuse;
• Provision of economic skills and opportunities
especially for poor young people for them to
continue their education; and
• Enactment of local policies and programs
supportive of the formation of healthy lifestyle
and positive behaviors among young people (e.g.
curfew, training, employment, and participation
in governance)
learning activities,and other forms of entereducate approaches to engage young people in
understanding key messages on:
•
•
•
the changes that are happening to their bodies
as they grow and the need to nurture and
protect it from harm;
love and relationships including skills in
preventing early pregnancy and responsible
sexuality; and
life planning and other life skills.
3
A TeenChat
Experience
“Wala man akong pamilya, Tinuring nila
akong pamilya” said Karen Derf Oraa, a 12 year
old resident of DSWD Nayon ng Kabataan,
as she describes her experience in Nayon ng
Kabataan, a place where she considers a home.
As a child abandoned by her biological
mother, she longs for a family she can call
her own. Life may have been painful for her
as a child but she gets strength from these
experiences to be stronger and determined to
make her own trail.
Sa ganitong activity,
natututo kaming
umiwas sa pagbubuntis
ng maaga...at piliin ang
During the first ever TeenChat activity in Metro Manila,
Karen was selected as a facilitator, an experienced she would forever
cherish. She is most grateful to Nayon ng Kabataan and PopComNCR for providing her an avenue to expand her horizons through the
TeenChat.
aming pangarap...
Karen
She recalled that she was very excited and, at the same
time, anxious of what about to happen during the activity. She was
nervous at the start but the activities during the training gave her enough self-confidence and, more
importantly, lessons that she can live by.
“Sa TeenChat, natuto akong irespeto at mahalin ang sarili ko. Dapat gawin ang lahat para sa
pangarap at huwag hayaang mawala sa mga maling desisyon. Ito ang maise-share ko sa ibang kabataang
tulad ko.”
As Karen engaged with her peers and young people during the TeenChat in Quezon City as part
of the Kalusugan Pangkalahatang Roadshow, she recalls the feeling of happiness while she interacted
with her fellow youth. The greatest challenge she had was “kung paano makisama sa ibang kabataan lalo
na sa mga hindi intersado.” She trusted herself with the thought that “para sa kanila din itong ituturo
ko,” she said.
As the activity ended, she felt so proud of what she has accomplished together with the other
young facilitators. “Masarap palang magshare ng mga aral sa katulad kong kabataan. Sana natuto sila
tulad ko at gawin nila ito sa buhay nila. Sana may ganito pang activity na pwedeng samahan,” Karen
shared as the group was wrapping up.
Karen dreams of becoming a teacher someday to be able to teach and reach out to the children
like herself. She summarized her experience with TeenChat with her message, “sa ganitong klaseng
activity, hindi lang namin matutunan ang pag-iwas sa maagang pagbubuntis pero higit sa lahat, natuto
kaming pillin ang aming pangarap.”
Simple as it may seem, she wishes to be an instrument in educating the youth and believes that this
experience is one that she will treasure and share to her students someday.
4
Source: 2013 YAFSS, UPPI
MyHAWC
Marikina Youth Health and Adolescent Wellness Center
A house away from home. A
house where young people can express
themselves and be informed and equipped
with appropriate information and skills
on matters related to their health and
wellbeing. This is what the Marikina Youth
Health and Wellness Center, simply called
MYHAWC (pronounced as MyHouse), aims to
be.
Its beginnings
Alarmed by the increasing incidence of
teenage pregnancy and other health issues
among young people in Marikina City, the
City Health Office embarked on a strategy
that aimed to empower adolescents and youth to make
them productive citizens and individuals. Together with
key stakeholders from the legislative, executive, and the
barangays, the city agreed to build a “house” that would
cater to the health and social needs of the young people.
It started as a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)
project. The 16 barangays contributed to raise a
TeenHealth Quarter (THQ) in Sta. Elena Health Center
under a franchise mode operated by the Foundation
for Adolescent Development (FAD). During its start-up
phase, the Marikina THQ provided health services and
appropriate information on responsible sexuality and
reproductive health to young people in school as well as in
the community. It included the training and mobilization
of peer educators who have been mainstreamed in the
health system of the city.
After the FAD franchise expired, the Marikina
City government opted to continue its operation
independently under the name Marikina Youth Health
and Adolescent Wellness Center. The center transferred
to much bigger place located at the third floor of the
new Marikina City Health Office. It is now operated and
sustained by staff from the CHO and by volunteer peer
educators.
Services Offered
The MYHAWS continues to provide services and information on
sexual and reproductive health and other development needs of
young people. It specifically provides regular various medical and
counseling services to include dental care, pap smear, pregnancy
testing, skin care, and maternal health care, among others.
The center also provides skills enhancement training not only on
health and sexuality-related concerns but also some technical and vocational
courses in collaboration with different stakeholders. Just recently, the
MYHAWC partnered with PopCom-NCR in the launching and conduct of the
series of TeenChats in two high schools in the city.
Together with the its partners and stakeholds, the MYHAWC will
continue to serve as a home for young people where health and wellbeing is
ensured.
5
AHYD
in the Metro
connecting with urban
young people!
NCR COntestant bagged the third place
in the 2014 national PopQuiz
What’s the Idea?
Young people constantly make choices and
decisions as they grow up. Teenage pregnancy is all
about taking decisions and making choices that have
life long impact on their lives. If young people are
provided with accurate information and appropriate
life skills that they need to survive in life and to pursue
their aspirations, they can make the right choices and
decisions.
MyDream, MyChoice! advocacy is about
enabling young people to build their dreams and
making right choices for them to pursue them.
Adolescence is full of choices and believing that
they can make the right decisions is recognizing
the positive values and potentials that are inherent
among young people. By enabling them to build
their dreams, all they need is the right information
and skills for them to achieve them!
creating connection
MyDream,MyChoice!, a strategy under the
Adolescent Health and Youth Development Program
of PopCom-NCR, is a network of young people and
adult with the shared goal of empowering adolescents
and youth in making the right decision. It uses the
social network and interpersonal events to connect
with as many young people in the Metro to creat a
community of healthy and empowered youth. The
network is moderated by Online Peer Educators who
connects young people region and nationwide to
positive messages about self-awareness and respect,
love and relationships, gender equality, parental
relationships and other young people’s concerns.
6
Joemari Olea, a senior high school
student from Canumay East National High School,
Valenzuela City, the regional contestant from the
National Capital Region, bagged the second runner
up during the 2014 National Population Quiz
(PopQuiz) held last April 7-9, 2014 at Columban
College, Olongapo City. The national PopQuiz is
a strategy that aims to increase the knowledge
and awareness of young people on contemporary
population and development issues in the country
and around the world.
The PopQuiz has been mainstreamed
as part of the National Festival of Talents of the
Department of Education.
This competition
showcases intellectual skills and depth of
awareness on various population and development
concepts and issues.
The 2014 National PopQuiz was topped
by Janela Dayrit of Tarlac National High School
followed by Raniel Verano of Taysan National High
School, Batangas. With his wits and talents, Jomari
from NCR landed on the third place, a significant
peat that was competitively pursued by other
contestants from 17 regions in the country. Jomari
was assisted by his trainer Ms. Charlyn S. Dela Cruz
and Dr. Leilanie M. Mendoza, Education Program
Supervisor of Valenzuela.
2015 Regional PopQuiz
to empower young people. The trained SSG officers
with guidance from their advisers will be further
Last October 3, 2014, the Metro Manila 2015 mobilized as online and interpersonal advocates in
Regional Population Quiz was conducted in the City the promotion of key messages on adolescent health
of Valenzuela in collaboration with the Divisions and youth development in the region.
of City Schools-Valenzuela and DepEd-NCR. The
Regional PopQuiz was held with the theme:
“Investing in Young People.” It was conducted in
parallel with other competition events particularly
the On-the-Spot Poster-Making, Essay Writing, and
Jingle Writing.
Sixteen contestants from the Division of City
Schools in the NCR competed in the PopQuiz where
Richmond Roi B. Rodriguez from F. Torres High School
in Manila was declared champion and will represent
the NCR in the 2015 National Population Quiz.
Empowering the Supreme Student
Reaching out to poor adolescents
Government (SSG) and teacher-advisers
on AHYD
“Sex is not love!” This is one of the most
significant messages that repeatedly echoed among
the officers of the Supreme Student Government
(SSG) from the various high schools in Mandaluyong
City. In a three-day interactive training on AHYD held
on October 27-29, 2014 in Tagaytay City, the officers
and advisers of SSG embarked on an adult-youth
partnership to deepen their appreciation and skills on
life skills-based adolescent health and development
issues and concerns.
The risks facing young people today converge
around the poor adolescents and youth. As such, they need
appropriate information and services more than the average
young people.
Recognizing the need to reach out to young people
among poor families, POPCOM-NCR in collaboration with
DSWD-NCR conducted and interactive Adolescent Health
and Youth Development (AHYD) session among children
and young people who are beneficiaries of the DSWD’s
Comprehensive Program for Street Children and Street
Families, held on May 21, 2014 at Island Cove, Binakayan,
Kawit, Cavite.
The activity was called Family Camp for Homeless
Street Families in Metro Manila with the theme “Pamilyang
the Filipino, Tanging Yaman” which gives acknowledgment to
the contributions of each Filipino family in nation building.
The training specifically provided
participants with knowledge and skills on the different
threats and risks facing the urban youth particularly
teenage pregnancy; the different life skills young
people need to develop for their growth and survival;
and the key actions that can be done in their schools
Some 118 teens with ages ranging from 12-17
years old from five LGUs in Metro Manila namely: Parañaque,
Manila, Quezon, Pasay and Makati, were provided with
different information on AHYD through interactive activities.
As a teenager, I can see my fellow youths’ capabilities at a higher
perspective than how adults can. I see their principles, their patriotic ambitions,
and their insights. You are asking us why we should invest on the youth...simple,
because we are the future, and we are wide-eyed witnesses of the present state
of the Republic. We yearn a different future ...and a better life.
we are worthy of
investments
Benjamin C. Fontanilla III
Marikina High School
October 03, 2014
First Prize Winner
Essay Writing Contest
PopCom & DepEd
October 3, 2014
We are capable of many things, great things! Just water and barren
lands and we can feed the country. Karen Francisco, one of my favorite authors,
has written a very mind-blowing novel about a fictional country under a state
of calamity. With her book, I realized how ambiguous we are, trying to solve
corruption, not knowing there are monsters more threatening lying ahead. And
yes, Ms.Francisco is a youth just like me.
Most would say we are senseless, and we only yearn liberty in the
form of rebellion. I beg to differ, we can strive for excellence! Just look at the
literacy chart from year 2000 to present, there are more or less 10% added to
the literate citizens, and that is one proof of progress. You may see us at an
eagle’s perspective, small, feeble and incapable of doing things for change and
innovation, but we can’t stop with that judgment. We just need your support.
To simply the answer to ‘Why?’...like it or not, we are the future and
without your investment, the future would be comparable to the Sahara or the
Arctic, barren and a waste. The chances are uncertain, but the fruits of progress
are worth the risk. Now to answer how.
“Education is the key to success.“ Or so they say. If a country yearns a clear future, it must be an educated
nation. To date, no one has proven that wrong, from the first school in Athens to the UP Diliman, Univeristy of Sto.
Tomas, and De La Salle University, progress was evident. If an investment is present, let it be for educating the
young.
Money and structures aren’t always the sole investments. Sometimes, the best investment is not food for the
mouth but wisdom for the heart. Moral values must be invested in youth, or all will go to the trash bin. Take a rock for
example, a boy with a greedy heart will use the rock to break his neighbor’s window, however a boy with a generous
heart will use the rock as a cornerstone and build a house for the homeless.
If an investment comes deeply from the heart, and is morally beneficial both to the state and to the youth,
then there is no need for enumeration. God gave his wisdom to know how to spend our money and time generously,
and He gave us courage to the risk.
At the end of the day, we can all consider a second to think. You may grab the nearest chair, make a coffee
and try to decipher the code we need to innovate. We all have problems and that won’t disintegrate, one of them is
the obscurity of the nation’s future, the fear that we might end up at the peak of a hill and stop, look back, and walk
down, because it’s the end of the path, and that is possible if we don’t consider a solution.
I want to end this piece with a story, a boy is asked by his father to buy him something from the store. Upon
reaching the store, the boy was robbed and beaten badly. He had no money and wasn’t in any way capable of
buying what his father asked him to buy, he was afraid of the punishment his father will do. When he was on his way
home, he decided to simply not let his father see him, so he climbed the call attempting to head straight to his room.
Then the bruise in his leg ached, and he slipped, and hit the floor with a painful crack. Listen to this, the father never
intended to punish him, yet the boy punished himself. Maybe the lesson is that the solution isn’t always escaping the
risk, but trying to face the future boldly through a risky solution.
With this, I end it with a challenge: Do you trust us enough to take the leap?