Reshaping sexual and reproductive health care in the Philippines

“We broke the mold by paying women from the community to do health work, even without formal qualifications. Inter Pares backed us when others wouldn’t—and that support made something groundbreaking possible.” - Dr. Sylvia “Guy” Estrada Claudio, Likhaan Center for Women’s Health.

In the Philippines, restrictive laws and religious conservatism limit everyone’s access to sexual and reproductive health care.

Meanwhile, the country’s public- private health-care system means urban poor communities often can’t afford basic services. Further barriers to access exist for young women and LGBTQI+ people.

But for 30 years, Inter Pares counterpart Likhaan has sought to break these barriers and reach the most marginalized by building a community-based health-care system: one with autonomy, dignity and rights at its core. A feminist approach to health.

Likhaan is rooted in the communities it serves. Many staff, educators and organizers live in the same neighbourhoods Likhaan’s clinics serve. The organization seeks input from local women’s groups to help shape their services and advocacy—ensuring what the clinics offer reflects community needs. Likhaan clinics are spaces where women and adolescents speak openly about sexuality, relationships, contraception and safety without judgment or shame.

Likhaan’s nine clinics provide holistic support for sexual and reproductive health: contraceptives, antenatal and postnatal care, cervical cancer prevention and treatment, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, post-abortion care and support for survivors of gender-based violence. Likhaan’s community outreach, education and advocacy mean people can make informed decisions about their bodies and lives. Most importantly, Likhaan offers free services so that anyone can access high-quality care—based on need and not ability to pay.

Inter Pares has supported Likhaan since its founding in 1995. Three decades later, we are honoured to continue our partnership with Likhaan—with renewed support from Global Affairs Canada. Together, Likhaan and Inter Pares have shown how long-term relationships and stable funding make it possible to advance a shared vision of feminist sexual and reproductive health. Global Affairs Canada’s new seven- year funding commitment will help Likhaan continue building a feminist health-care system: one that is publicly accessible, community-driven and grounded in rights.

Support feminist health care with autonomy, dignity and rights at its core. 

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