Commentary : sustained advocacy produces success in the Philippines

‘The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012’ affirms women’s right to reproductive and sexual health information and services, including contraception, and mandates the government to include age and development appropriate reproductive health education for all school-going adolescents. Despite active campaigning by the Catholic Church against pro-Law Senatorial candidates, a significant number won in the 2013 elections. Civil society groups now aim to ensure that the law is translated into effective policies and programmes, shaped and evaluated against a human rights framework