SRH and HIV/AIDS Linkages at Policies, Programmes and Service ...

BANGLADESHCAMBODIANEPALPHILIPPINESthrough Lifeskills-based Education.”However, implementation of thememorandum was slowed down bydisagreements between the State andthe Church. Recently, the Departmentof Education implemented a pilotstudy on reproductive health in 80elementary and 79 high schools in thecountry. Covered by the project at theelementary level are Grades IV to VIfor children between 10-12 years old.The purpose of the project is to impartlife-skills education to students. Hence,the science of reproduction, physicalcare and hygiene, correct values andthe norms of interpersonal relationsto avoid pre-marital sex and teenagepregnancy are among the topicscovered. Sex education is integratedin Science; Edukasyong Pantahananat Pangkabuhayan (EPP); Health;Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, at Sibika; andMathematics. Under Science, topics onthe reproductive system, parts of thebody, reproductive cycle, and pubertyare discussed. EPP on the other handwill integrate proper behavior amongand between peers of different genders.Health component of MaPEH(Music, arts, PE and Health) coverspersonal hygiene and reproductivehealth. Sexually transmitted infections(STI) and Human immune deficiencyvirus (HIV) and Acquired immunedeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are partof the curriculum of most subjects andtaught in Grade V who are mostly at 11years of age.In the workplace, there is activepartnership between the employersand labour unions. While RA 8504paved for the workplace componentof the AIDS Law, initiatives have beenmade even before this law was passed.In 1997, the Policy on HIV/AIDSPrevention was signed. It has five goalsbut none of them mention any otherreproductive health element:i. Prevent and control the spread ofAIDSii. Protect workers’ rights and thedignity of PLHIViii. Recognise individual responsibilityiv. Provision of benefits in highrisk occupational settingsand employment of universalprecautionsv. Establishment of a secretariatwithin DOLE.The Trade Union Congress of thePhilippines (TUCP) has integratedHIV/AIDS in its programmes onFamily Welfare and ReproductiveHealth. These programmes areoften supported by external donors.However, inadequate coverage bythe establishments regarding theimplementation of the said law and thelack of priority that the private sectorgives to HIV/AIDS are hamperingthe initiative; as of the year 2001, only2,000 out of the 40,000 establishmentsthat should be inspected have submittedreports.Other bills and administrative issuancesof the Department of Health (DOH)stipulates the creation of a PhilippineReproductive Health Program. Allelements of reproductive health werepart of the proposed service package.The National Sexually Transmitted102