Magdalena Lopez

Catholics for Choice

Magdalena Lopez is Catholics for Choice’s International Program Director. She develops and implements CFC’s programmatic work outside the United States through country-level and regional activities with advocates, policymakers and healthcare providers in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe, as well as the organization’s work with supranational NGO and policymaking bodies such as the United Nations and European Parliament. A native of the Philippines, Ms Lopez is has more than 15 years’ experience as a researcher, advocate and leader in reproductive health and recently led the establishment of a nationwide Catholic reproductive health advocacy organization in her country. Before joining CFC, she was the Philippines Country Manager for the Leadership Development Program for Mobilizing Reproductive Health (an initiative of the Institute for International Education) and worked for the Family Planning Organization of the Philippines as well as for the Philippines Department of Health. Ms. Lopez holds an MBA in Health from the Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines), and a masters in psychology from the University of the Philippines.

Philippines Reproductive Health Bill Passes House of Representatives Despite Aggressive Opposition from Bishops

In the early morning of December 13th, 2012, the Philippines House of Representatives voted to pass on second reading the Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011 (commonly known as the RH bill), which will give millions of women access to contraception and other reproductive health services that were in many cases out of their reach.