Contraceptives

The theme ‘It’s your life, it’s your responsibility,’ addresses the message to remove these barriers and allow them access to contraception.

Marie Stopes reported that adolescents all too often are told not to engage in sexual activities outside of marriage, hence are denied contraception.

However, Marie Stopes says this does not stop them from engaging in sex; instead increases the chances of unplanned pregnancies, with devastating impacts, not just with future dreams, but death when many make the choice of going through unsafe abortion.

President Rodrigo Duterte says he wants to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, especially among the poor.

His executive order is expected to face fierce opposition from the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr Duterte's predecessor had to fight for years to pass a bill extending the use of contraceptives in the country.

But the Supreme Court placed a temporary ban on the distribution of contraceptive implants under the law in 2015 after complaints from anti-abortion groups. The government has appealed.