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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In the Philippines, abortion is generally illegal. According to the Philippine Constitution, "Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_the_Philippines Abortion in the Philippines]</ref> | In the Philippines, abortion is generally illegal. According to the Philippine Constitution, "Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_the_Philippines Abortion in the Philippines]</ref> Furthermore, the Catholic Church, an incredibly influential force in the Philippines, condemns abortion. | ||
Abortion is potentially | Abortion is potentially permitted to save the life of a woman, but this is debatable. While no Filipino laws authorize abortions for women whose lives are endangered, "It may be argued that an abortion to save the mother's life could be classified as a justifying circumstance (duress as opposed to self-defense) that would bar criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal Code."<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_in_the_Philippines Abortion in the Philippines]</ref> Yet, as reported in the Rappler, "some medical health care providers erroneously deny life-saving procedures even in cases of intrauterine fetal death where therapeutic abortion is needed to save the life of the woman." Furthermore, "Expressing negative views on abortion is dangerous because it maintains the status quo where many medical providers threaten women with prosecution in cases of intrauterine fetal death, spontaneous abortion, abortion due to trauma from intimate partner violence and self-induced abortion."<ref>[http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/105680-reality-abortion-philippines The reality of abortion in the Philippines]</ref> | ||
Generally speaking, then, abortion can be called completely illegal. This means that in all cases, including to preserve physical health, to preserve mental health, rape or incest, fetal impairment, endangerment of the woman's life, economic or social reasons or upon request, abortion is not permitted. If an abortion is illegally performed, the person performing the abortion may be subject to imprisonment. If the woman consented to the abortion, the prison term is typically six months to six years. If the woman did not consent to the abortion, the prison term is six years to twelve years. If the woman performed the abortion on herself, she may also be subject to two to six years in prison.<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm Abortion Policy: Philippines]</ref> | |||
Despite the general ban, abortions are still performed in the Philippines every year. In 2012, it was estimated that 610,000 women in the Philippines received abortions.<ref>[http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/105680-reality-abortion-philippines The reality of abortion in the Philippines]</ref> An underground economy of abortions exist, in which women typically pay 2000-5000 PHP for the procedures. These procedures are often unsafe, leaving | Despite the general ban, abortions are still performed in the Philippines every year, with the highest rates in Metro Manila. In 2012, it was estimated that 610,000 women in the Philippines received abortions.<ref>[http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/105680-reality-abortion-philippines The reality of abortion in the Philippines]</ref> An underground economy of abortions exist, in which women typically pay 2000-5000 PHP for the procedures. These procedures are often unsafe, leaving women in unhealthy and vulnerable positions, with an estimated rate of 1000 deaths due to underground abortions per year. <ref>[http://www.huckmagazine.com/art-and-culture/the-perils-of-filipino-abortions/ The perils of underground Filipino abortions]</ref> | ||
According to studies, most women receive abortions in the Philippines during their first trimester. Yet about 25% receive their abortions in later stages, which is more risky.<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unintended-pregnancy-and-unsafe-abortion-philippines-context-and-consequences Unintended Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion in the Philippines: Context and Consequences]</ref> Some women manage to obtain medically recommended procedures, such as manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) or dilation and curettage (D&C). Many other women seek out other methods, such as plant and herbal concoctions (known as "pamparegla"), abdominal beating, abdominal massage (known as "hilot"), insertion of objects into the women (such as hangers or brooms), over-exercising, jumping from high places, ingestion of Cytotec (a stomach ulcer medicine which can also induce abortions), ingestion of Vino de Quina, and ingestion of other liquors. | |||
As found in a UN Report, "...illegal abortion is performed in a climate of fear and shame resulting from strong cultural, religious and legal prohibitions. Surveys indicate that women resorting to abortion are often from economically disadvantaged groups and take this step because they are unable to provide for another child. Surveys also indicate a high incidence of repeat abortion. In a context of poor health conditions and widespread malnutrition, and where some 76 per cent of deliveries occur at home and only 21 per cent are attended by a physician, induced abortions are poorly performed and result in high maternal mortality and morbidity."<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm Abortion Policy: Philippines]</ref> | As found in a UN Report, "...illegal abortion is performed in a climate of fear and shame resulting from strong cultural, religious and legal prohibitions. Surveys indicate that women resorting to abortion are often from economically disadvantaged groups and take this step because they are unable to provide for another child. Surveys also indicate a high incidence of repeat abortion. In a context of poor health conditions and widespread malnutrition, and where some 76 per cent of deliveries occur at home and only 21 per cent are attended by a physician, induced abortions are poorly performed and result in high maternal mortality and morbidity."<ref>[http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/abortion/profiles.htm Abortion Policy: Philippines]</ref> | ||
The Reproductive Health (RH) Law allows women to receive humane medical care in the event of abortion complications, but this does not mean that all women receive proper care. | The Reproductive Health (RH) Law allows women to receive humane medical care in the event of abortion complications, but this does not mean that all women receive proper care. Many women do not seek out care due to social stigma against abortion, or fear or legal ramifications. As written in the Guttmacher Institute report, "In the Philippines, most unintended pregnancies resulting in abortion are preventable, as is nearly all abortion-related mortality and morbidity. Better information on sexual and reproductive health, as well as access to effective contraception, can lower the incidence of unintended pregnancy, thereby reducing the number of Filipino women who resort to unsafe abortion and experience the related health consequences. Investing in women’s health yields enormous benefits not only to women’s status and productivity, but also to their families and society as a whole."<ref>[https://www.guttmacher.org/report/unintended-pregnancy-and-unsafe-abortion-philippines-context-and-consequences Unintended Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion in the Philippines: Context and Consequences]</ref> | ||
Personal Experiences or Testimonials: | Personal Experiences or Testimonials: | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* You can potentially get the "abortion pill" by mail. Check out [https://www.womenonweb.org/en/i-need-an-abortion this link] for details | |||
* You may also be able to find the "abortion pill" in Manila. It has been noted on some online forums that Misoprostol (cytotec) is sold by peddlers in certain districts of the city, especially around churches. But beware: Some of the peddlers may sell counterfeit, unhealthy or ineffective medicine. This is not recommended. | |||
You may also be able to find the "abortion pill" in Manila. It has been noted on some online forums that Misoprostol (cytotec) is sold by peddlers in certain districts of the city. | * If you are interested in receiving a legal abortion, you may consider visiting [Vietnam], [China] or [Japan], where they are legally performed. | ||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||