Likhaan

{{Infobox organization | name = Likhaan | native_name = Linangan ng Kababaihan | image = | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | map2 = | map2_size = | map2_alt = | map2_caption = | abbreviation = | predecessor = | merged_into = | successor = | formation = 1995 | founder = Dr. Junice Melgar<br>Dr. Sylvia Estrada-Claudio<ref name=smaller>{{cite news|last1=Sheker|first1=Manini|title=Smaller families planned|url=https://www.theguardian.com/journalismcompetition/smaller-families-planned|accessdate=27 August 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=23 November 2011}}</ref> | extinction =  | merger = | type = | tax_id =  | registration_id =  | status = | purpose = Primary Health Care Services for Women, Women's Rights, Reproductive Health | headquarters = | location = Philippines | coordinates =  | region_served = | services = | products = | methods = | fields = | membership = | language = | owner =  | secretary_general = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = | main_organ = | parent_organization = | subsidiaries = | secessions = | affiliations = | budget = | revenue = | disbursements = | expenses = | endowment = | num_staff = | num_volunteers = | slogan = | mission = | website =  | remarks = | former_name = | footnotes = }}

'''Likhaan''' is a non-government organization (NGO) engaged in providing direct health care services to women in marginalized communities.<ref>{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=8xveSOdz6zIC&dq=%22Likhaan%22+ngo&pg=PA211 | title = No Paradise Yet: The World's Women Face the New Century |isbn=9781856499224 |last1=Mirsky |first1=Judith |first2=Marty |last2=Radlett |year=2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Likhaan Center for Women's Health|url=http://www.handsonmanila.org.ph/volunteerprograms/component/content/article/8-featured-ngo/79-likhaan-center-for-womens-health.html|accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref> Dr. Junice Melgar is its director and one of its co-founders.<ref name = "canada">{{cite web|title=Likhaan and the struggle for reproductive rights in the Philippines|url=http://www.cwhn.ca/en/networkmagazine/likhaan|website=Canadian Women's Health Organization|accessdate=26 August 2014|date=26 November 2012}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Chandiramani|first1=ed. Geetanjali Misra, Radhika|title=Sexuality, gender, and rights : exploring theory and practice in South and Southeast Asia|date=2005|publisher=Sage Publications|location=New Delhi [etc.]|isbn=0761934022|page=[https://archive.org/details/sexualitygenderr0000unse/page/157 157]|url=https://archive.org/details/sexualitygenderr0000unse/page/157}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Exposed: Three pro-RH groups backing legalized abortion|url=http://cbcpforlife.com/?p=3477|website=CBCP for Life: Online Resource Portal for Family and Life|accessdate=26 August 2014|date=5 September 2011}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Diola|first1=Camille|title=Pro-RH cooks 'electoral campaign' vs anti-RH solons|url=http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2012/12/12/885245/pro-rh-cooks-electoral-campaign-vs-anti-rh-solons|accessdate=27 August 2014|publisher=PhilSTAR.com|date=12 December 2012}}</ref>

== 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.<ref name = "canada"/> of Apelo Cruz, Pasay; Letre, Malabon; Towerville, Bulacan; Paradise Village, Malabon;<ref name=rappler1/> 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<ref name=rappler1/> 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.<ref name=DW1>{{cite news|last1=Strother|first1=Jason|title=Mixed reception for Philippines birth control law|url=http://www.dw.de/mixed-reception-for-philippines-birth-control-law/a-16671183|accessdate=27 August 2014|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=30 March 2013}}</ref> * Abortion-related care. The organization aims to create safe zones where women can freely discuss issues about abortion.<ref>{{cite web|title=Demystifying Abortion for Young Women in The Philippines |url=http://www.arrow.org.my/images/publications/Country_Profiles/Philippines/v12n3.pdf |website=The Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women |accessdate=26 August 2014 |year=2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120033/http://www.arrow.org.my/images/publications/Country_Profiles/Philippines/v12n3.pdf |archivedate=26 August 2014 }}</ref> * 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.<ref name=smaller/> 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,<ref name=DW1/> sex education, and women's rights.<ref name=rappler1>{{cite news|last1=Luna|first1=Nikki|title=Paradise Village: Why the RH bill should be passed|url=https://www.rappler.com/moveph/10444-paradise-village-why-the-rh-bill-should-be-passed/|access-date=28 August 2014|work=Rappler|date=13 August 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Faustino|first1=Pia|title=RH law will reduce abortion, women's health advocates say|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/197806/news/nation/rh-law-will-reduce-abortion-women-s-health-advocates-say|accessdate=26 August 2014|publisher=GMANews.TV|date=4 August 2010}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:Medical and health organizations based in the Philippines Category:Women's rights in the Philippines Category:Organizations established in 1995 Category:Non-profit organizations based in the Philippines