Progress Made

PiLAKK (Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kababaihan at Kabataan)—a growing federation of 20 community-based organizations with 4000 members and more than 300 women and youth leaders working closely with Likhaan. Members assist women during maternal and other medical emergencies as "RH sentinels"; operate income generating cooperatives (involving microcredit, bulk purchasing of rice, operation of pedicabs and supplying households with potable water); conduct relief work during floods, fire and other calamities; and actively participate in local and national advocacy actions.

Primary Health Care Clinics for Women—these clinics, 4 of which are based in poor communities, see over 30,000 patients a year. The clinic staff organize and facilitate trainings on family planning, emergency obstetric care and post-abortion care for reproductive health (RH) practitioners. They also train community health workers and health promoters on primary health care.

RH Policy Advocacy—Research-based advocacy led to the building of a government birthing center that serves a poor locality with more than 40,000 people. Likhaan has also contributed to lively national debates on adolescent sexuality and health; access to emergency obstetric care; the availability of emergency contraception; the impact of unsafe abortion; the contraception ban in Manila; the importance of investing in family planning; and the importance of an RH law.