CHR: Duterte’s ‘42 virgins’ joke strips women of dignity, human rights

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights strongly denounced President Rodrigo Duterte’s joke of making virgins as a “come-on” to promote tourism in the country, calling it an appalling remark.

In a statement Wednesday, CHR said that it is “utterly degrading” for Filipino women to be spoken of in such manner, even as a joke, by the highest official of the land.

“These kinds of repeated sexist remarks strip Filipino women of their dignity and human rights. It diminishes women’s ownership of their bodies and reduces them to mere sexual objects,” the commission said.

She added: “This is despite the global recognition for our Filipinas’ capacity for hard work, who make honorable sacrifices to provide for their families and, at times, give due recognition to our country for their excellent achievements in diverse fields.”

READ: Duterte jokes about '42 virgins' to promote tourism

Duterte, during his last day in India, claimed that Islamic State extremists lure followers with the promise of “42 virgins” in heaven.

“The come-on is that if you die a martyr, you go to heaven with 42 virgins waiting for you. If I could just make it a come-on also for those who’d like to go to my country,” he said.

Radicalized militants who commit acts of terror, having themselves killed in the process, are believed to be promised 72—not 42—virgins in paradise. Quran scholars, however, dispute the interpretation.

Duterte, after declaring himself "half-Muslim," suggested in jest that the ISIS does not have a monopoly of making promises about virgins.

“And I said, one of the most is promising virgins when you go to heaven. I’d like to have the virgins here, not in heaven. God may not allow it,” the chief executive said.

CHR said that the fact the joke was done abroad made it “even more appalling” because it objectifies Filipino women in larger international arena.

Individuals and groups both at home and abroad have previously blasted Duterte for his remarks which they said “normalized” and “encouraged” objectification, rape and other forms of violence toward women.

READ: Duterte’s '42 virgins' joke manifests his disrespect toward women — group

‘Reject violence, discrimination’

The commission, moreover, said the discrimination faced by women is expanding to online platforms.

“This usually stems from discussions on political and social issues that descend into misogynistic attacks and escalate into psychological violence such as online bashing, slut-shaming, and/or threats of rape and other physical violence,” CHR said.

It cited Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson and journalist Pia Ranada who have been subjected to online violence focusing on their gender and not on the issues at hand as well as the women protesting the Marcos burial and various women officials.

CHR called on the government to uphold laws that protect women from violence and discrimination such as the Women in Development and National Building Act, Magna Carta of Women and Anti-Sexual Harassment Law.

It also urged the public to stand up for women’s rights and reject violence and discrimination of all forms.

“We need exchanges that enrich the discourse on human rights promotion and protection—not degrade them. The vision should be to rise as a nation together and not at the expense of other fellow Filipinos and Filipinas,” CHR said.