Module for Legal and Ethical Aspects of Family Planning University of the Philippines, College of Medicine
University of the Philippines, College of Medicine

"Ethics, Justice & Women’s Reproductive & Sexual Health:
Issues in Family Planning"

Atty. Carolina S. Ruiz-Austria
Senior Lecturer, UP College of Law

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, students shall have:

1. Familiarity with the basic links between law, medicine and ethics on the issue of Women’s Reproductive Health
2. Familiarity with Emerging International Human Rights and Women’s Human Rights Frameworks on Reproductive and Sexual Health
3. Familiarity with applicable International and National Laws that give basis for family planning as a legal entitlement and as a human right
4. Discussed the specific and common violations on a person’s rights when there is selective or inadequate access to all family planning methods
5. Reflected on the social role and ethical responsibilities taken on by physicians in the provision of family planning counseling and service

Advance Preparation/ Materials Needed:

1. Prepare all the references and training materials in relation to the
2. Read relevant materials/references in advance so you can easily refer the participants to the relevant sections during the discussions

2.1 Laws (Selected 1987 Constitution Provisions)

1987 Philippine Constitution

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), [http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu3/b/e1cedaw.htm]

General Recommendation No. 24 [Available at: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/recommendations/recomm.htm#recom24]

2.2 Aguiling-Pangalangan, E. Reproductive, Health, Rights and their Progeny: Norms in Case and Statute Law, Ch II

Cook, Rebecca J., Human Rights Law and Safe Motherhood (1998) 5 European Journal of Health Law 357-375, [ Available for download at: http://www. law-lib.utoronto.ca/diana/fulltext/cook3.htm]

FIGO International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Committee for the Ethical Aspects. of Human Reproduction and Women's Health, Ethical Guidelines [PDF Available for download at: http://www.figo.org]