#Yes2RH: A Selfie Call to RH Law

Republic Act 10354, more commonly known as the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012 has been signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III last 21 December. After more than 14 years of struggles both in the streets and the cyberspace, the controversial bill was approved by the legislative branch with favorable votes of 113-104 and 13-8 in the Lower and Upper Houses respectively.

It has been more than a year now (19 March 2013) since the Supreme Court first issued a 120-day Status Quo Ante Order (SQAO) against the implementation of the RH Law. The said SQAO was extended indefinitely by the judiciary department last 16 July 2013. 

#Yes2RH: Online Campaign

Image courtesy of Rappler.

Now, reproductive health advocates through the initiative of the Likhaan Center for Women's Health call unto netizens to join the #Yes2RH campaign. An online campaign wherein supporters of the said law in the Philippines, hailed as the "Selfie Capital of the World", would take selfies of themselves with their full name, designation, location and the hashtag, #Yes2RH and upload them on their social media accounts. The campaign would run from 28 March to 8 April, as the high court is said to come up with a decision as to the constitutionality or the lack thereof of the RH Law.

Image courtesy of @SRHRforAll

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, in an interview, was once quoted saying that "declaring the RH Law unconstitutional is a veto of people's will".

RH Mob: Just Like the Old Times

RH advocates truly know how to take the battle offline. The streets of Metro Manila and the rest of the country is no longer a virgin to RH groups and advocates. 

On 28 March, RH advocates would once again march the streets of Manila to insist on the Supreme Court to uphold the Reproductive Health Law.

The march, dubbed as "Martsa ng Buntis Para sa RH Law", encourages advocates to come in wearing a maternity dress to signify solidarity with women who have suffered complications and have died because of unwanted or early pregnancies. Attendees are also encouraged to wear purple shirts and/or accessories. 

The march will begin at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at the Anda Circle. It would pass the CBCP’s office in Intramuros then straight to the Supreme Court in Padre Faura and would end at Plaza Salamanca in Taft.

Yours truly joins #Yes2RH.

The Philippine Society of Sexual & Reproductive Health Nurses and the Philippine Health Bloggers Society joins the millions of RH advocates calling on the Supreme Court to uphold the RH Law.