Representative Ma. Theresa Bonoan (4th district, Manila) is urging the Congress to pass a law that would create an office devoted to conducting research on the health of Filipino women.
Bonoan said her measure, House Bill 3866, is necessary because women have heavier workloads inside and outside the home.
"Women, aside from child rearing, also have to perform such other responsibilities as income-generating work, community work and housework, which often fall solely on them. Hence there is probability that they get tired more and so may have lower resistance to infections," said Bonoan, who is a member of the National Unity Party (NUP).
Under her bill to be known as Research on Women's Health Act, the Office of the Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) shall be headed by the Health Secretary, who will, among others, identify research projects on women's health that should be conducted or supported by both the government and non-government agencies.
Bonoan said an Advisory Committee on Women's Health will also be created under the proposed law to supervise the research activities of the ORWH. The committee shall be composed of two representatives from the Health Department, four physicians, two representatives from non-government organizations and one representative from the general public.
She pointed out that Article 13, Section 11 of the Constitution mandates the State to prioritize women's needs.
"Women are more exposed to diseases and danger as they get pregnant and give birth," Bonoan said. She cited studies showing that women who give birth are more susceptible to pregnancy-related and childbirth-related complications, particularly if the woman is either too young or too old.