[OPINION] It’s about women’s health, let them speak about it
by Caryl Sumulong | May 18, 2024
As a woman, I have experienced being sidelined in different aspects of my life such as in health discussions, merely because of my gender.
Socially constructed rules dictate what we, women, can and cannot talk about. One in particular is talking about things related to our reproductive system. A woman shouldn’t speak of sex, of vaginas, of penises. We should censor ourselves, call it “private organs” or call it the “deed.”
This has been going on for centuries that it became the norm across cultures. Up until now, talking about our own bodies and reproductive health is considered a taboo, resulting in our lack of access to adequate health information and medical assistance. The more we lack awareness, the more we risk ourselves having reproductive health problems.
According to Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), cervical cancer, a tumor that develops in the cervix, is one of the main leading causes of death among Filipino women.
During the Kapihan sa Baguio on May 2, Dr. Jimmy Billod, a Medical Specialist III at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), shared that 11 Filipinas die daily due to cervical cancer despite it being preventable and curable if detected early. Early screening is therefore vital in preventing this type of cancer among women. However, according to Dr. Billod, one of the main causes why women in Benguet do not subscribe to screenings is them being unaware about it.
In an interview on May 15, Noncommunicable Diseases Coordinator of City Health Office Dr. Khecy Colas said that cervical cancer screenings are conducted weekly in the city health offices. This year, the nationwide target goal of screenings is 70%, however, the goal remains at 5% in order to be feasible, considering that last year’s average screenings was only 0.44%.
In Baguio, the goal is to screen 3,000 women this year. Now, it has currently screened a total of 610 women from January to March, based on the data provided by the City Health Office. These numbers are powerfully telling of how far we are from the target goal.
Now that May is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, certainly, the local government unit is making conscious efforts to raise awareness regarding the importance of reproductive health discussions. However, the sociocultural barriers imposed among women still weigh heavily that prevent women from accessing health services, consequently risking their well-being.
Unfortunately, advocacies that fight for women’s rights, especially their rights to accessible information and health services, are only shedded light on during months of celebrations. Worse, some use it as business strategies disguised as campaigns for awareness.
It is not enough that we fight alongside women only on certain months of celebrations — putting up floral designs, creative hashtags, and pink-violet lights, or focusing on superficial gestures. It is a struggle we go through everyday.
We, women, have long been deprived of our rights. It is beyond unjustifiable that even the most basic right to medical care is fought for up to this day. Discussing reproductive health, especially among women, must no longer be stigmatized. From a young age, we should be empowered to talk about our bodies and health openly and without shame.
Gender inequality plays a huge role in women’s struggle for basic health care. As we advocate for women’s health, we must also seek to address gender biases in society to empower women in getting the support they need. As long as gender inequality remains persistent in healthcare, the more lives of women remain at risk.
