DAVAO CITY — The Gabriela Women’s Party today lauded the Quezon City local government for issuing a new ordinance which criminalize catcalling and other forms of street-level sexual harassment against women.
The Gender and Development ordinance include catcalling, stalking or making lascivious gestures, and groping or touching women as violations.
The ordinance penalizes offenders ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and one day to one year imprisonment.
Gabriela Women’s Party spokesperson Arlene Brosas described the ordinance as “a first of its kind”. “It bolsters efforts to uphold the dignity, and promote the respect of women,” she said.
Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Emmi De Jesus urged other local government units to pass similar ordinances.
“Maganda itong ipinasa ng Quezon City government. Dapat gawin din ito ng iba pang mga syudad at lalawigan upang itaguyod ang karapatan ng mga kababaihan. Sama-sama nating labanan ang abuso,” Rep. De Jesus said.
She also called on the House of Representatives to pass the bill they filed that would introduce amendments to the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, which would address the same concerns.
De Jesus said House Bill No. 813 aims “to expand the scope of sexual harassment among peers and co-employees, and the possibility of a harassment perpetrated by a subordinate against a female supervisor/boss, and the possibility that sexual harassment may be committed outside the workplace, educational institution and place of training.”
She said the current law does not penalize street-level harassment. “The amendments we seek would thus include this to further empower our fight to stamp out various forms of abuse against women and children,” she said. (davaotoday.com)
