Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) Research Project

The Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) Research Project is a transformative initiative led by the University of the Philippines Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (UPCWGS) and the UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation, Inc. (UPCWSFI), in partnership with Oxfam Pilipinas.

Over four years, the SHE Project worked to bring forward the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) perspectives and experiences of marginalized communities in the Philippines. It focused on inclusivity, justice, and empowerment—reshaping traditional SRHR research frameworks through feminist, intersectional, and creative approaches.

An Intersectional Approach to SRHR

By recognizing that gender, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, disability, and sexuality all shape access to SRHR, the project sought to capture the complex realities faced by underrepresented groups. The research uplifted the voices of female and male children, adolescents, adults, older persons, indigenous peoples, Muslims, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ individuals.

Innovative and Creative Research Methods

The SHE Project employed movement, literary, and visual arts alongside focus group discussions to deepen understanding and empathy for participants’ experiences. Grounded in feminist standpoint epistemology, it placed the voices of vulnerable communities at the center of the research process.

Advancing SRHR Through Action

Guided by a vision to catalyze significant improvements in SRHR practices in the Philippines, the project produced actionable recommendations tailored to the needs of diverse sectors. It champions a more holistic, empowering approach to advancing SRHR, promoting bodily autonomy, and preventing gender-based violence.

Pasya, Laya, at Sining: Reshaping SRHR from the Margins

The culmination of these efforts is captured in the book Pasya, Laya, at Sining: Reshaping SRHR from the Margins, launched on 24 May 2024.

This pioneering work shares the research findings, creative methodologies, and policy recommendations, offering a deeper understanding of the multidimensional landscape of SRHR in the Philippines.

The SHE Project hopes this resource will inspire continued dialogue, research, and action—moving closer to a future where sexual and reproductive health and rights are truly accessible for all.

Download the book here: https://bit.ly/PasyaLayaSiningBook