Rationale:

Filipino women's lives are changing rapidly as a result of improvements in

education, the spread of mass media, increases in the proportions of women
working and the growing acceptance of a larger role in society. In school, boys
are often elected to organizational positions such as President and Vice-President,
while the girls are either members or holding treasurer positions. However, the
trend has changed and girls tend to be more or even sometimes the only ones
elected or nominated in all positions. This has been due to a change of mindset
towards the female gender that is now regarded as more hardworking, well-
versed and dedicated than their male counterparts.

Women for both physiological and sociological reasons are more vulnerable
than men to reproductive health problems. Reproductive health problems,
including maternal mortality and morbidity, represent a major-but preventable-
cause of death and disability for women in developing countries.

Many women suffer and die as a result of complications related to

childbirth. More than 40% of all maternal deaths occur in five developing
countries: Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Papua New
Guinea and the Philippines (http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/rib/rib1-3.pdf).

Urban Society differs from that of Rural Society. Urban areas are equipped
with all the modern amenities. The modern day facilities like the internet,
telephone, television and satellite communication facilities are widely available in
the urban areas (Buzzle.com). However, people in rural areas live in a close
proximity of nature. Due to a relatively lesser number of people inhabiting the
rural areas, the rural parts are not overcrowded by people.

People in an urban areas and rural areas surely differ as to their culture,
beliefs, values and understandings because of the physical environment that
influences them.

In the Philippines today, we have this, what we call RH Bill that is being
considered by the Filipino lawmakers to promote economic development and
improve access to healthcare, particularly Reproductive Health care. The
researchers wanted to hear women's voices regarding this issue. Because the
researchers believe that there should be equality among men and women, and in
order to meet this equality, women should be given the right to decide in planning
births and in achieving their family-goals and the extent of their use of
contraception.

In connection with that, it is by virtue that the researcher would like to

conduct a study regarding the perception of rural and urban women on
Reproductive Health Bill.
Statement of the Problem:

This study will determine the perception of rural and urban women on
reproductive health bill from selected Barangays of Cebu City.

To elucidate the main problem of the study, the following specific questions
were formulated:

1. What is the profile of the respondents (urban and rural women) in terms of:

1.1 Age
1.2 Gender
1.3 Civil Status
1.4 Age when she got married
1.5 Number of Children
1.6 Educational Attainment

3. What is the level of perception of the respondents (urban and rural women) on
Reproductive Health Bill in terms of:

1.1 bill is pro-poor;

1.2 bill is pro-youth and;
1.3 bill is pro-women?

Theoretical Background:

This study is anchored on the Feminist theory. This theory focuses on

analyzing gender inequality and the promotion of women's rights, interests, and
issues. (Morgan,1941) This study generally revolves around women's perspective
regarding reproductive health bill. Thus, this theory would be a great theoretical
guide in this study.
 The Queer Theory explains the free of choice of women in the society.
According to Jacob Edwards, women should be given the chance to act and live
their lives according to what they want. In this study, women are the priorities of
the researcher. That their voices should be heard by the lawmakers regarding the
reproductive Health Bill, because it is them who suffer on the consequences of
bearing the child for 9months.

Conflict Theory which was started by Herbert Spencer in 1893 explains the
inequality of a social group. In this study, this theory could definitely play a great
part for inequality between men and women ( which is basically a conflict
between two social groups).

Critical Theory examines the critique of society and culture, drawing from
knowledge across the social sciences and humanities. In this study, the
researcher scrutinize the links between these societal groups, the issue between
how women should be given priorities as to their health.

Social conflict theory a Marxist-based social theory which argues that

individuals and groups (social classes) within society have differing amounts of
material and non-material resources (the wealthy vs. the poor) and that the more
powerful groups use their power in order to exploit groups with less power.
(Padgit, 1923)

Significance of the Study:

This study will be conducted to give information about how rural and urban
women understand the Reproductive Health Bill. These are the various person
that will benefit from this study:
 The Government as the pillar of our country will be able to gain knowledge
from this research output on how women even from different level of society
agree and is willing to pass Reproductive Health Bill into Law.

The Barangays will be able to use this collective ideas from its citizens in
order to help the passage of the Bill.

Youth and Students serves as the hope of tomorrow through this research
output, they be aware how different married life, because Love is not the only one
to be considered in marriage, reproductive health consciousness play a big role in
a relationship.

Women will gain more knowledge on how to prioritize women’s rights and
decisions regarding their reproductive health.

Teachers will get more information to share and teach to their students
about how women from different levels of society differ on their perception of the
same issue.

Future researchers. This will help as a guide on their study specifically on

the issue about reproductive Health. It can help them resolve and support their
study related to this.

Definition of Terms:

Perception- refers to the understanding of the respondents to Reproductive

Health Bill.

Rural- refers to the women living in are away from the city technological
advancement and not overcrowded by people.
Urban- refers to the women living in an are wherein there is technical
advancement and its overcrowded by people.

Reproductive Health Bill- is a Philippine Bill aiming to guarantee universal

access to methods and information on birth control and maternal care.

PERCEPTION OF RURAL AND URBAN WOMEN ON

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH BILL OF SELECTED
BARANGAYS IN CEBU
 RESEACHERS:

AZISA A. SAMAD
DEPHANY T. CABADUNGA
FLORA MAE A. CARZANO

ADVISER:

DR. VICTORIO Y. SAQUILAYAN

Research Methodology

Research Design:
The researchers used the descriptive design in this study, in the form of
questionnaires and interviews from the respondents of selected Barangays in
Cebu City.

Research Environment:
This study will be conducted in the Barangay of Bolocboloc, Barili Cebu and
Basak Pardo, Cebu City.

Research Respondents:
The respondents will be the selected married women of the selected two
Barangays in Cebu.
 CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Data:

Name: Flora Mae A. Carzano

Course & Year: AB-Political Science-3
Gender: Female
Home address: Basak Pardo, Katangkungan 11, Cebu City
City Address: Basak Pardo, Katangkungan 11, Cebu City
Contact Number: 09233762959
Place of Birth: Mantalungon Dalaguete, Cebu
Nationality: Filipino
Civil Status: Single

Educational Background:

Elementary: Bolocboloc Elementary School

High School: Teotimo Abellana Sr. Memorial High School

Tertiary: Southwestern University

 CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Data:

Name: Azisa A. Samad

Course & Year: AB-Political Science-2
Gender: Female
Home address: Traveler'r Pension House, Manalili St. Cebu City
City Address: Ceanurle Subdivision Camague St. Cebu City
Contact Number: 09233762959
Place of Birth: Mercy Community Hospital Iligan City
Nationality: Filipino
Civil Status: Single

Educational Background:

Elementary: Balolod Chico Central Elementary School, M.C

High School: St. Therese Academy, I.C

Tertiary: Southwestern University

 CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Data:

Name: Dephany T. Cabadunga

Course & Year: AB-Political Science-3
Gender: Female
Home address: Bulacao, Talisay, Cebu City
City Address: San Antonio, Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay Province
Contact Number: 09266606252
Place of Birth: San Antonio, Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay Province
Nationality: Filipino
Civil Status: Single

Educational Background:

Elementary: Tugop Elementary School

High School: San Antonio National High School

Tertiary: Southwestern University