At Lunas Collective, we are proud to celebrate the Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) Project, a vital initiative led by the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UP CWGS) and Oxfam Pilipinas. This project has been instrumental in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities across the Philippines.

The SHE Project focuses on intersectionality and inclusivity in addressing sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). It highlights the diverse identities shaping individuals’ experiences, providing critical insights into the barriers faced in accessing SRHR services.

Key figures in the SHE Project include our Founder, Sabrina Laya Gacad, along with board members Nathalie Africa-Verceles, Shebana Alqaseer, and Maya Tamayo. 

Sabrina’s study, “Saying Yes to Whose Pleasures? A Feminist Study on the Acceptability of Pregnancies for Young Women,” explores young women’s experiences of sexuality and pregnancy in the Philippines. It emphasizes the need for comprehensive, sex-positive sexuality education and accessible reproductive health services.


Download your copy here.

We also highlight 📚 Resisting Marginality: Filipino Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, featuring Sabrina’s contribution, The Making of Lunas Collective: Building Communities of Care. Edited by Dr. Nathalie Africa-Verceles, this collection addresses critical SRHR issues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Download your copy here.

The SHE Project seeks to reshape SRHR frameworks through feminist and intersectional methodologies, culminating in the launch of Pasya, Laya, at Sining: Reshaping SRHR from the Margins on May 24, 2024. This resource aims to provide actionable recommendations for fostering a more inclusive landscape for SRHR services.

At the heart of the SHE Project is a vision of bodily autonomy and the prevention of gender-based violence. Together, we advocate for a society where everyone can exercise their rights and make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.

For more information about the SHE Project, explore these resources:

Together, let’s work toward a world where sexual and reproductive health rights are equitable for everyone, woven into the fabric of our communities of care.

For more information and collaboration:
UP Center for Women’s and Gender Studies
Magsaysay Ave corner Ylanan Street, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc.
info@upcwsfi.com

SHE Project Team through Rafaella Potestades
aellapotestades@gmail.com