Philippines

In the Philippines many women do not have access to modern methods of contraception and abortion remains illegal, with no exceptions.

The situation among young women is particularly alarming, with the number of young mothers aged between 10 and 19 constantly rising. The practice of child marriage or marriage under the age of 18 is the fifth most common reason cited by young people for not going to school.

In addition, 17.5% of Filipino women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced some form of physical, sexual or emotional violence from an intimate partner. Two out of five survivors of gender-based violent have not sought help.

Access to abortion remains restricted by the Penal Code. Lack of access to safe and legal abortion and good post-abortion care means abortion is one of the main causes of maternal death in the Philippines.

Every day three women die as a result of complications following an abortion performed in unsafe conditions. Every hour 70 women undergo an abortion and 11 women are hospitalised.

The Philippines is ranked by UNAIDS as the country with the fastest growing rate of HIV in the world. The number of cases doubled in 2023 and almost half of those infected are aged between 15 and 24. The region of Metropolitan Manila accounts for 80% of cases.The Philippines is ranked by UNAIDS as the country with the fastest growing rate of HIV in the world. The number of cases doubled in 2023 and almost half of those infected are aged between 15 and 24. The region of Metropolitan Manila accounts for 80% of cases.

The communities of the autonomous Muslim region of Bangsamoro on the island of Mindanao are exposed to conflict and natural disasters against a background of political transition and Islamic religious conservatism. In this region, one in five married women do not receive the family planning services they need. Early and forced child marriage is both a cause and consequence of adolescent pregnancy.

Since early 2025, Médecins du Monde has been working in these communities to improve the delivery of the Minimum Initial Service Package for Sexual and Reproductive Health. We are working with both the communities and the local and national authorities to prevent sexual violence and unintended pregnancy (especially in adolescents) and to support victims of violence.

On 21 July 2024, the capital was hit hard by Typhoon Carina which brought historic levels of rainfall and caused the river to rise, forcing many families to evacuate. Médecins du Monde provided hygiene kits to the evacuated families from the Tondo district and gave medicines, dengue testing kits and other medical supplies to healthcare facilities.

During 2024 there were several fires in the districts of Tondo and San Andres in Manila which left over 10,000 people homeless. Médecins du Monde and its partners helped to set up mobile clinics to care for the victims and provided tarpaulins and hygiene kits.