Atty Lorna Kapunan was right when she educated Senator Robin Padilla on the issue of marital consent during the recent Senate hearing on sexual harassment, emphasizing that both spouses have the right to refuse sex, even within marriage.
While this may seem obvious, many Filipinos share Senator Padilla’s view, as shown by our preliminary analysis of the University of the Philippines Population Institute’s 2021 Young Fertility and Sexuality Study (YAFS5). Over 30 percent of young people – men and women ages 15 to 24 – in the four regions we work in believe that “it is the wife’s duty to have sex with her husband whenever he wants.”
Instead of getting lost in outrage, we need to focus on how to address this disturbing mindset. Roots of Health has been providing free sexual and reproductive health information and services to the people of Palawan for 15 years. Our research shows that a significant percentage of first sexual encounters among young people in the province are unplanned and many are coerced. This has serious consequences, contributing to high rates of teen pregnancy, single-parent households, abortions, and the rapid spread of sexually transmitted infections, including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The YAFS5 study and our own youth survey show that young people often turn to social media, family and friends for information about sex and relationships. Unfortunately, many older generations, including figures like Senator Padilla, lack accurate knowledge themselves.
As a non-governmental organization (NGO) working to improve sexual health awareness and behavior, we use digital platforms like malayaako.ph and the Facebook pages I CHOOSE and Usapang K to reach young people with credible, non-biased information in Tagalog. Consent is one of our most viewed topics.
However, our efforts alone are not enough. We need the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) as mandated in the Reproductive Health Act of 2012 and the DepEd Memorandum of 2018. Teachers need proper training to teach these important topics safely and effectively.
The recent controversy surrounding Senator Padilla should be a wake-up call. We all have a responsibility to understand and promote the importance of consent, especially to our children. We call on the Philippine government, especially the Department of Education, to fulfill its mandate and implement CSE now.
August is International Youth Month. No one should be forced to have sex, whether in a long-term relationship or not. Let’s work together to help young people make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights so they can develop and thrive.
