Likhaan
Linangan ng Kababaihan
Formation1995
FounderDr. Junice Melgar
Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio[1]
PurposePrimary Health Care Services for Women, Women's Rights, Reproductive Health
Location
  • Philippines

Likhaan is a non-government organization (NGO) engaged in providing direct health care services to women in marginalized communities.[2][3] Dr. Junice Melgar is its director and one of its co-founders.[4] These services also allow Likhaan an entry point to organizing grassroots women in health care advocacy. Likhaan is an acronym for Linangan ng Kababaihan. Likhaan, a Filipino phrase which means "A Place for the Honing or Development of Women".[5] Reproductive Health and Rights is a major focus of Likhaan's programs, reflected in its clinical services, education work and advocacy. The organisation works for a humane and non-hierarchical health care system. They are also identified by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines that is pushing for the legalization of Abortion in the Philippines.[6] The group is also one of the supporters of the Reproductive Health Law and has stated that they will make the electoral campaign of politicians that voted against the bill difficult.[7]

Programs

Primary Health Care Services and Counselling for Women

Likhaan's approach to primary health care services is twofold. First is the community-based programs in low-income areas.[4] of Apelo Cruz, Pasay; Letre, Malabon; Towerville, Bulacan; Paradise Village, Malabon;[8] and the main clinic at the head office. Their programs, which integrates basic healthcare, community organizing and education, are led by community health workers.

Second is the mobile clinic “Tarajing”. Tarajing is a pink electric vehicle that brings medical team and medical supplies to poor communities.

Likhaan provides the following health care services:

  • Pre-natal check ups[8] and maternal care
  • Family planning. They provide free birth control materials such as condoms in their clinics. The United Nations Population Fund provides them with these contraceptives.[9]
  • Abortion-related care. The organization aims to create safe zones where women can freely discuss issues about abortion.[10]
  • Care for survivors of VAW
  • Counselling. Likhaan offers counseling services that are both nurturing and empowering to women. Counseling areas include violence against women (VAW) issues (i.e. rape/incest, domestic violence, sexual harassment, etc.), abortion-related issues, depression and other gender-related concerns.

Community Organizing and Education

Likhaan aims to organize women and help them fight for their rights.[1] They also set up women's health associations each community to form the federation, Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kababaihan at Kabataan (PiLaKK). The group also provide education for gender issues such as domestic violence,[9] sex education, and women's rights.[8] Likhaan also conducts research studies directed at improving health care services and promoting women-sensitive health policies and programs.

Likhaan produces Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and activities in various forms of media are employed (usually in Filipino), such as print publications, forums, street plays, puppet shows, songs, and dance. One of the documentaries that they have released is Agaw-Buhay (Filipino for "Fighting for Life") which tackles the experiences of women that were subjected to unsafe abortion methods.[11]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Sheker, Manini (23 November 2011). "Smaller families planned". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  2. ↑ Mirsky, Judith; Radlett, Marty (2000). No Paradise Yet: The World's Women Face the New Century. ISBN 9781856499224.
  3. ↑ "Likhaan Center for Women's Health". Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Likhaan and the struggle for reproductive rights in the Philippines". Canadian Women's Health Organization. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  5. ↑ Chandiramani, ed. Geetanjali Misra, Radhika (2005). Sexuality, gender, and rights : exploring theory and practice in South and Southeast Asia. New Delhi [etc.]: Sage Publications. p. 157. ISBN 0761934022. {{cite book}}: |first1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Exposed: Three pro-RH groups backing legalized abortion". CBCP for Life: Online Resource Portal for Family and Life. 5 September 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  7. ↑ Diola, Camille (12 December 2012). "Pro-RH cooks 'electoral campaign' vs anti-RH solons". PhilSTAR.com. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 Luna, Nikki (13 August 2012). "Paradise Village: Why the RH bill should be passed". Rappler. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  9. 1 2 Strother, Jason (30 March 2013). "Mixed reception for Philippines birth control law". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Demystifying Abortion for Young Women in The Philippines" (PDF). The Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women. 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  11. ↑ Faustino, Pia (4 August 2010). "RH law will reduce abortion, women's health advocates say". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
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