“May mga naririnig ako at nababasa na polygamous marriage ay likely linked to STD and HIV-AIDS, yung multiple partners,” This is just one of the occuring misconceptions surrounding Muslim culture in the community discussed by Dr. Isnira Baginda, one of the guest speakers of “She Matters: Embracing the Spectrum of Women's Health” Seminar, March 19.
Baginda also highlighted that although early marriage is allowed in Muslim Culture, forced marriage never was.
© Katrina Elises
“Mga [edad] 15, 16 ayaw na mag-aral, gusto na mag-asawa. Sige fine, basta kagustuhan niya [at] hindi kagustuhan ng parents niya,” she pointed out.
Baginda also shared her experience in a discussion with a Muslim religious leader on family planning.
“Tinanong ko yung mga Muslim religious [leaders]—Sang-ayon ba kayo sa family planning?—biglang nagsitayuan, umalis [kasi] bawal daw ang family planning,” she recalled.Baginda also said she challenged them by asking “Sabi niyo kumpleto ang Islam, bakit ayaw niyong pag-usapan ang family planning?” She recounted that they eventually returned and discussed family planning in the context of birth spacing.
The doctor also clarified that contraceptives are allowed but only those done in a natural way.
“May general rule tayo para d’yan. Natural methods lang ang allowed sa mga Muslim, yung calendar method at yung abstention,” Baginda clarified.
She also mentioned that abortion and artificial contraceptives during intercourse are not considered haram in Muslim culture but are permissible only in life-or-death situations—based on the Qur’an.
Prevention is better than cure
The seminar also focused on the education of students regarding cervical cancer and breast cancer, conditions that primarily affect women.
Dr. Myra Maduramente, another guest speaker, highlighted the importance of early detection to patients who are relatives of a person who has a record of cervical cancer as “cancer is very difficult to stop.”
“Cervical cancer is preventable especially if detected early. As I mentioned earlier, most of my patients are stage three B pero marami pa rin ang going home and [living] years and years later,” she noted.
Another doctor, Dr. Catherine M. Camarse-Aplicador, also explained how she focuses on early screening of patients and determining whether they are asymptomatic or not.
“[With] breast cancer, it's hard to prevent it kasi genetic yung source or origin nito. But if we detect it [at an] early stage one pa lang, we can cure it,” she noted.
She also assured the efficiency of early detection in eliminating the cancer.
“99 percent of patients with stage one breast cancer can be cured, which means as in totally wala na after ma-cure,” Aplicador affirmed.
Aplicador also explained the proper technique for self-examination to detect breast masses, emphasizing the use of both hands and the need to extend the examination to the area around the armpit, as the breast tissue extends into that region.
She also discussed when to start clinical breast examination by a healthcare provider and screening mammograms.
“Yung clinical breast exam will start at 26 years old at yung screening mammogram can start at 35 years old,” Aplicador described.
The seminar was initiated by the Committee on Gender and Development of the Supreme Student Council (SSC), along with the Gender and Development (GAD) Office and the Center for Women's Studies (CWS) of MSU-GSC and took place in the Audio Visual Room (AVR) of Mindanao State University- General Santos City (MSU-GSC) Library.
The event aims to empower women by addressing vulnerable health and well-being issues.
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