Puerto Princesa City, Palawan [January 15, 2025] – Roots of Health (Ugat ng Kalusugan), a Palawan-based organization dedicated to empowering women and young people through sexual and reproductive health education and services, calls for the full implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) nationwide.
This appeal comes in response to ongoing campaigns by groups such as Project Dalisay, which, according to Roots of Health, misrepresents the content and goals of CSE.
“Without accurate, age-appropriate, and evidence-based information, young people are left vulnerable to early parenthood, unsafe sexual practices, abuse, and lifelong psycho-social and socio-economic consequences,” said Amina Evangelista-Swanepoel, Executive Director of Roots of Health.
Teenage pregnancy remains a critical public health issue in the Philippines, with over 450 girls aged 19 and below giving birth every day. Alarmingly, there has also been a rise in pregnancies among girls 10-14 years old from 2,319 in 2020 to 3,135 in 2022, indicating cases of statutory rape, according to data from the Commission on Population and Development (CPD).
Reliable, Science-Backed Information for Families
Roots of Health emphasizes that CSE is about equipping young people with reliable, science-backed, and age-appropriate information to help them navigate adolescence safely and responsibly. For parents, CSE can serve as a valuable tool in guiding their children to make decisions that align with their family’s values. The goal is to foster open, honest conversations between parents and children, empowering families to support young people during a crucial stage of their development.
“The misconceptions perpetuated about CSE reflect a broader societal discomfort with adolescent sexuality, but denying young people access to critical information only exacerbates the problem,” Evangelista-Swanepoel emphasized.
She explains that contrary to Project Dalisay’s assertions, CSE does not “sexualize children” and “promote early sexual independence”. Instead, it teaches young people essential life skills, including decision-making, body autonomy, consent, and respect for diversity. These skills are crucial in preventing sexual violence, reducing gender-based violence, and promoting healthy relationships.
“Many parents worry that sex education will encourage early sexual activity, but studies consistently show that young people who receive CSE are more likely to delay sexual activity and practice safer behaviors,” Evangelista-Swanepoel emphasized. “When young people understand their bodies, learn about consent, and develop healthy relationship skills, they are better prepared to navigate the pressures and challenges of adolescence and identify and speak out in cases of abuse.”
Roots of Health has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of CSE. Since 2017, Puerto Princesa’s teen pregnancy rate declined by 60%, a success the organization attributes largely to education efforts and partnerships with local schools and communities.
Call to Action: Addressing Critical Gaps in Education
Roots of Health highlights two critical recommendations on information access for improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health in the Philippines:
- Comprehensive Training for Educators and Health Workers
Many teachers and healthcare providers lack the necessary training to deliver nonjudgmental, accurate, and age-appropriate information on sexual and reproductive health. Capacity-building programs must be prioritized and funded. - Leveraging Existing Platforms
The Department of Education (DepEd) should collaborate with the CPD and the Department of Health (DOH) to utilize resources like the I CHOOSE #MalayaAkongMaging online campaign, which offers accessible and credible information on sexual health in “Taglish”, customized for young Filipino audiences.
Providing a Safe and Supportive Environment
Roots of Health underscores the importance of fostering a supportive environment where young people can seek guidance without fear of judgment. Teachers and health workers must be trained to provide compassionate care and accurate information to ensure young people get the support they need.
Roots of Health also highlights the vital role of youth advocates, including the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), play in peer education. Having partnered and trained over 1,500 young people in Palawan to organize CSE sessions, the organization has seen how youth-led initiatives can enhance knowledge and promote healthy behaviors. Expanding such efforts can amplify the impact of CSE nationwide.
An Appeal to the Public
“We appeal to DepEd to bolster the full implementation of CSE and for parents and guardians to support and share accurate information about it. Protecting our youth means giving them the tools to make informed decisions, anchored in their family values.” said Evangelista-Swanepoel.
“We cannot shield young people from the realities of life, but we can prepare them to face these realities with confidence and clarity,” she added.
Roots of Health remains committed to working with government agencies, educators, health workers, and community leaders to ensure that every young Filipino has access to the information and services they need to lead healthy and empowered lives.
About Roots of Health
Roots of Health is a Palawan-based non-governmental organization that provides rights-based sexual and reproductive health education and services. In 15 years, it has reached over 100,000 young people through education sessions in schools and communities and trained more than 6,700 teachers in CSE.
