The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday, April 7, said the government should work on "gender-sensitive public communication" to change the misconceptions some Filipinos have on men and women.

CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit, Focal Commissioner on Gender and Women's Rights, said in a statement that gender discriminatory norms have sadly been ingrained in Filipino culture.

She said these norms have led some people to believe that women should stay at home and take care of the children while men work, or that catcalling and sexual harassment in the workplace are acceptable, among many other things.

She lamented how the misogynistic culture in the country became worse over the past few years, with public servants themselves making "verbal attacks laced with sexism."

Even women leaders are discriminated against, and their positions and capabilities are often discredited, she pointed out.

The CHR commissioner stressed that it is time for the Filipino people, led by its government, to challenge and change these norms – even if it would be a long struggle.

"As such, I wish to highlight the importance of gender-sensitive public communication, information, and education in various forms and platforms as an important first step towards gender socialization to promote and protect gender equality and women’s human rights," she said.

Gomez-Dumpit added that gender sensitivity and education will be the "starting points" in transforming discriminatory gender norms.

The Magna Carta of Women, or Republic Act 9710, seeks to revise gender stereotypes in educational materials and curricula. It also mandates the use of gender-sensitive language and the conduct of capacity-building on gender and development for teachers and all personnel in the education sector.

While all these are well and good, Gomez-Dumpit said that "these State obligations, laws, policies, and programs cannot remain as nicely written words. Implementation is still the key."