From 4-10 November 2007 EPF brought six European Parliamentarians, from Spain, Norway, Turkey, Belgium, Portugal and Lithuania on study tour to the Philippines. The weeklong tour raised awareness amongst European Parliamentarians of the unmet sexual and reproductive health needs of Filipino’s and to examined the role that the Catholic Church plays in policy making. 
 

A study tour co-organised by EPF and the Philippine Legislator’s Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) has brought European Parliamentarians together with Philippine decision-makers. The weeklong tour raised awareness amongst European Parliamentarians of the unmet sexual and reproductive health needs of Filipino’s and to examined the role that the Catholic Church plays in policy making. The participating Parliamentarians have gained first-hand experience of the reality of the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right situation and the influence of the Catholic Church in a developing country.

Key findings on women and sexual and reproductive health and rights

• Currently, sexual and reproductive health and rights is not on the political agenda of the government although nine out of ten Filipinos consider family planning important. By continuously promoting natural family planning as the only acceptable method, the government is not meeting the contraceptive needs of its citizens.
• Although abortion is illegal, highly stigmatised and prohibited by the constitution, an estimated 473.000 abortions occur annually mostly under unsafe conditions. The number one reason for abortion being the economic inability to raise another child. Eight in ten women who succeeded in ending their pregnancy have health problems. 
• The Philippines have one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia. Lack of access to family planning services and a low number of health care workers are the main causes. The brain drain of qualified doctors and nurses due to low wages are a serious problem for the Filipino health system. 
• Couples in all parts of the country have difficulties in managing the number and spacing of their children. Although the average Filipino woman wanted 2.5 children the actual number of children is considerably higher. Each year, more than 1.4 million Filipino women conceive when they do not want to.
• The Catholic Church has an overwhelming influence on the government and on policy-makers. Too few dare to speak in favour of family planning and reproductive health. Government departments are forced to follow the government line on natural family planning even though they favour modern methods. Although Catholicism is a part of everyday life, ordinary Catholics are not overtly influenced by the church. Polls among Filipino citizens show that 78% are in favour of using contraceptives and modern family planning methods and would support candidates who are in favour of a government budget for family planning.
  
   

The Delegation:
Hon. Anne Van Lancker, MEP from Belgium, Hon. Marija Pavilioniene, MP from Lithuania, Hon. Maria Ofélia Moleiro, MP from Portugal, Hon. Miguel Angel Martin Soledad, MP from Spain, Hon. Kari Kjonaas Kjos, MP from Norway and Hon. Gaye Erbatur, MP from Turkey.