Press Release

February 14, 2011

Contact Person: Lotlot D. Requizo # 09178606650

KAISA KA to Join Pro-RH Rally at Congress

KAISA KA, a transformational, multi-sector national organization of women is joining a rally organized by Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN) at the South Gate of the House of Representatives this coming February 16, to give an additional push for the enactment of the Reproductive Health Law.

A consolidated version of the Reproductive Health Bill (RHB) has been prepared in the House of Representatives to be presented for plenary debates. But the fate of this consolidated bill remains in limbo as the President Aquino has refused to certify the RHB as urgent pending the conclusion of his dialogue with the leaders of the powerful Catholic Church.

“Our presence in Congress will be a ‘gentle reminder’ that it the women who get pregnant, give birth and nurse infants.” KAISA KA secretary general explained. “Pregnant women workers risk their children’s and their own safety when they have no protection from reproductive health hazards in work places.”

Observers noted that intense pressure from the Catholic bishops pushed the authors of the bill to insert the phrase responsible parenthood’ in the consolidated bill’s title.

KAISA KA wrote an open letter to the president about the importance of his support for the RH just a day after his inaugural. It sent a follow-up letter in July and got a very ‘safe’ reply.

KAISA KA did not campaign the RH bill during the 14^th Congress. “We have always been for RH but the old bill was more of a proposal for population management packaged as RH. This time, it is clearly RH anchored mainly on women’s rights and closely linked to empowerment of women.” Requizo concluded.