Unsafe abortions may become a thing of the past in The Philippines if the national congress passes a law on reproductive health, women's rights advocates have claimed.
The bill up for discussion does not legalise abortions however. Instead it promotes the idea that people should adopt family planning methods.
Junice Melgar, of the Likhaan Center for Women's Health in The Philippines, said: "What's important to us is the prevention [of abortion] and the humane treatment of women seeking post-abortion care."
Likhaan organised a discussion on the issue and showed a documentary about the stories of four Filipino women who ended up with complications after undergoing illegal abortions.
Dr Melgar said: "We are pushing for the passage of the reproductive health bill but not for the legalisation of abortion.
She claimed: "The RH bill, if passed, will promote family planning programs and therefore reduce abortions."
The discussion involved advocates of the bill, medical practitioners, lawyers, educators, and government officials.
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