Likhaan

Likhaan is a non-government organization (NGO) engaged in providing direct health care services to women in marginalized communities. These services also allow Likhaan an entry point to organizing grassroots women in leading the advocacy for genuine access to genuine health care.

Likhaan is the acronym for "Linangan ng Kababaihan. Likhaan", a Filipino phrase suggesting a space for women's creations or creativity.

Reproductive Health and Rights is a major focus of Likhaan's programs, reflected in its clinical services, education work and advocacy.

Likhaan works for humae and non-hierarchical health care system, guided by the following principles:

Programs

Primary Health Care Services for Women

Likhaan's approach to primary health care services is twofold. First is the community-based programs in the poor and disadvantaged areas of: Apelo Cruz, Pasay City; Letre, Malabon; Towerville, Bulacan; and the main clinic at the head office. Led by trained community health workers or CHWs, these programs integrate basic health care with community organizing and education.

Second is the mobile clinic “Tarajing”. Tarajing is an pink electric vehicle that brings a medical team and necessary medical supplies to service other poor and marginalized communities.

Primary Health Care packages cover General medical (including adolescent and pediatric care) and Reproductive health care, in particular:
*Maternal care
*Family planning
*Abortion-related care
*Management of reproductive tract infection
*Care for survivors of VAW
*Lesbian health care

Community Organizing and Education

The women's health associations that are set up in each community form the federation, Pinagsamang Lakas ng Kababaihan at Kabataan (PiLaKK).

Feminist Counseling

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.

Information, Education and Communication (IEC)

Likhaan produces IEC materials and activities in various forms of media are employed (usually in Filipino), such as print publications, forums, street plays, puppet shows, songs, dance and other cultural forms.

Women's Health Studies

Likhaan conducts research studies directed at improving health care services and promoting women-sensitive health policies and programs.