Bill vs catcalling gets Senate nod

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate yesterday passed on third and final reading a bill that seeks to protect women from catcalling and other forms of street-based harassment.

Approved was Senate Bill 1326 or the Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act, which seeks to penalize catcalling, wolf-whistling, cursing, leering, groping, persistent requests for name and contact details and the use of words tending to ridicule on the basis of actual or perceived sex, gender expression or sexual orientation and identity in public spaces.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, principal author of the measure, hailed the passage of the measure as “a major pushback” against what she called the “growing culture of misogyny and sexism in the country.”

“At a time when sexism and misogyny seem to be the new normal, this is an important victory for all women and LGBT persons. This is a major pushback against street-based sexual harassment and the culture of sexism in the country. With this measure, we will reclaim the streets from sexual harassers and make them safe for all,” she said. 

She expressed hope the bill, if enacted into law, will trigger behavioral change among Filipinos.

“Through this measure, we hope to progressively change the people’s language habits, prevent different forms of gender-based harassment and convince the public of the positive effects of gender-sensitive expression,” Hontiveros said.