Section 17. Women's Right to Health. -

1. Comprehensive Health Services. - The State shall, at all times, provide for a comprehensive, culture-sensitive, and gender-responsive health services and programs covering all stages of a woman's life cycle and which addresses the major causes of women's mortality and morbidity: Provided, That in the provision for comprehensive health services, due respect shall be accorded to women's religious convictions, the rights of the spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious convictions, and the demands of responsible parenthood, and the right of women to protection from hazardous drugs, devices, interventions, and substances.

   Access to the following services shall be ensured:

   1. Maternal care to include pre- and post-natal services to address pregnancy and infant health and nutrition;

   2. Promotion of breastfeeding;

   3. Responsible, ethical, legal, safe, and effective methods of family planning;

   4. Family and State collaboration in youth sexuality education and health services without prejudice to the primary right and duty of parents to educate their children;

   5. Prevention and management of reproductive tract infections, including sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and AIDS;

   6. Prevention and management of reproductive tract cancers like breast and cervical cancers, and other gynecological conditions and disorders;

   7. Prevention of abortion and management of pregnancy-related complications;

   8. In cases of violence against women and children, women and children victims and survivors shall be provided with comprehensive health services that include psychosocial, therapeutic, medical, and legal interventions and assistance towards healing, recovery, and empowerment;

   9. Prevention and management of infertility and sexual dysfunction pursuant to ethical norms and medical standards;

   10. Care of the elderly women beyond their child-bearing years; and

   11. Management, treatment, and intervention of mental health problems of women and girls. In addition, healthy lifestyle activities are encouraged and promoted through programs and projects as strategies in the prevention of diseases.

2. Comprehensive Health Information and Education. - The State shall provide women in all sectors with appropriate, timely, complete, and accurate information and education on all the above-stated aspects of women's health in government education and training programs, with due regard to the following:

   1. The natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth and the development of moral character and the right of children to be brought up in an atmosphere of morality and rectitude for the enrichment and strengthening of character;

   2. The formation of a person's sexuality that affirms human dignity; and

   3. Ethical, legal, safe, and effective family planning methods including fertility awareness.