It is definitely personal

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 01:13

Representative of the Lone District of Malabon, Congresswoman Josephine "Jaye" R. Lacson-Noel says her support for the controversial Reproductive Health (RH) Bill has become very personal and she intends to support the Bill until it gets its deserved approval to become a law. "I have accommodated all opinions for and against the RH Bill, attended marathon hearings and plenary debates, but my decision to support the bill comes from my day-to-day discussions with my constituents, based on their grim, violent and often pathetic realities on the ground, about their specific and immediate needs for a comprehensive RH law," explains Lacson-Noel.

The Congresswoman is in the process of creating her own Malabon database on the number of unwanted pregnancies, pre- and post-natal challenges and accidents, and other data.

"I have don't have NSO-like documents yet. But to have a comprehensive database is my goal. What I have are now, however, are stronger facts. Anecdotes from the harsh realities coming from women who have 6 children but cannot stop getting pregnant because the husband insists it is his right; from mothers who would rather the DSWD take away their children because they don't know what to do with them anymore; and from wives who get beaten every time they refuse sex for fear of another unwanted pregnancy," relays Lacson-Noel.

"I want to institutionalize heath care and health protection for mothers and pregnant women in my District and an RH law would be my strength," explains Lacson-Noel.

Lacson-Noel is the founder of an all-women organization in Malabon and Navotas called "Kayang Kaya ni Misis." (KKM). KKM is a 10,000-strong union of women whose joys and sorrows are often based on their being mothers and wives.

"My dream is to empower the women of my District. It is simple enough, but I cannot succeed if their potentials are anchored on the old-age dynamics of their homes - where it is considered wrong to plan a family or space pregnancies," laments the Congresswoman from Malabon City.

"My colleagues in the House of Representatives have already provided all the legal and medical reasons that strongly support the RH Bill."

"We have worked hard as lawmakers. We have provided very strong arguments, but at the end of the day, it is the grumblings and the grievances of the people who voted for me who rise above the intellectual exchanges of ideas," insists Lacson-Noel. "To me, supporting the RH bill is definitely a personal fight."

Congresswoman Jaye Lacson-Noel issues her strong support for the RH Bill on the occasion of the launching of an initiative called "Soul Sisters," where a group of new faces of women legislators have openly and passionately come out to support the RH Bill as spokespersons.

According to the Soul Sisters for RH group, "They are a new breed of policy champions with strong ties to their constituents, especially poor women. They are neophytes with fresh insights on the issue. They are committed to help women make positive change on their lives. They want women to be able to exercise informed choice and decision-making."