Young women speak out: weaving reproductive health consequences with narratives of violence

Mildred Megarbio, Ateneo de Davao University

Reports reveal that many adolescent girls in Davao City have experienced different forms of violence which led to some serious reproductive health consequences resulting to poor scholastic performance. This study was carried out in universities with the aim of determining the different forms, extent, causes and effects of violence to female students. It utilized descriptive design and employed methodologies such as survey questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-depth interview. Of the 439 survey respondents 7.3% admitted experiencing sex with 68.75% of them having been forced by their partners to engage in sex and 34.38% admitted that they have forced their partners to have sex with them. The serious health consequences of the sexual abuse they experienced are unwanted pregnancies, urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted disease, miscarriages or unintentional abortion and psychological imbalances. In conclusion, reproductive health problems can be addressed through the prevention of VAW incidents in a school environment.