The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) of the Philippines lauded the Muntinlupa City government for passing an ordinance against gender-based sexual harassment.
In May, the Muntinlupa City Council passed Ordinance 2023-077, known as the "Respeto Sa Kapwa Muntinlupeño Ordinance” (Respect for fellow Muntinlupeño Ordinance) to enforce the important provisions of Republic Act No. 11313 (Safe Spaces Act). It was signed by Mayor Ruffy Biazon on May 15.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon at the ceremonial signing of City Ordinance No. 2023-077, or the "Respeto sa Kapwa Muntinlupeño" Ordinance, on June 5 (Photo from Muntinlupa PIO)
The ordinance aims “to prevent the occurrence of gender-based sexual harassment in streets and public spaces, online, in workplaces, and in educational and training institutions.”
“lt also aims to assure and ensure the protection of Muntinlupeño from gender-based sexual harassment as it seeks to inculcate among its populace respect for each other,” according to the ordinance.
It defines gender-based streets and public spaces sexual harassment as crimes “committed through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person regardless of the motive for committing such action remarks.”
In a statement, the CHR said it “strongly lauds the city government of Muntinlupa for passing City Ordinance No. 2023-077, also known as the ‘Respeto sa Kapwa Muntinlupeño’ ordinance, that aims to castigate and penalize perpetrators of unwanted sexual remarks and actions in public spaces.”
“In an effort to combat all forms of harassment and discrimination, especially towards women and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) community, the ordinance is set to punish offenders who commit implicit and explicit homophobic, misogynistic, and sexist comments against citizens of the city of Muntinlupa. Those who are found guilty of the aforementioned offenses will make reparations in accordance with Republic Act No. 11313, otherwise known as the Safe Spaces Act,” the CHR added.
It said that “blatant harassment and inherently discriminatory acts continue to prevail in the Philippines, whether they may take place in the online or real-life setting. There have been numerous cases nationwide of harassment motivated by and related to gender identity, ranging from microaggressions and disadvantages in the workplace to violence and death.”
“Thus, it must be continuously emphasized that localized efforts to pass ordinances that protect one’s citizens from discrimination are important in ensuring equality within one’s respective jurisdiction. Efforts at the municipality level also help ensure direct impact in the lives of the vulnerable sectors who frequently experience discrimination and harmful treatment,” it said.
According to the CHR, it “commends the city of Muntinlupa for their adherence to the principles promoted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment, the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Yogyakarta Principles, Republic Act No. 11313—the Safe Spaces Act, and RA 9262—the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act, among others, in taking on a proactive role to create safer spaces for vulnerable minorities. We look forward to the meaningful implementation of the ordinance to ensure that it will genuinely curb gender-based sexual harassment.”
The CHR encouraged “other local governments to emulate and take inspiration from the city of Muntinlupa’s initiative of protecting the rights of their citizens. Moreover, we also hope that the increasing support and initiatives at the local level will help pave the urgency to pass of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) equality bill. Through continuous promotion of human dignity and equality, we may be able to build communities rooted in security and non-violence for the common good of the people.”
Under the ordinance, gender-based sexual harassment in the streets and public spaces includes “catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person's appearance, relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions, public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that is unwanted and has threatened one's sense of personal space and physical safety, and committed in public spaces such as alleys, roads. sidewalks and parks.”
“Acts constitutive of gender-based streets and public sexual spaces harassment are those performed in buildings, schools, churches, restaurants, malls, public washrooms, bars, internet shops, public markets, transportation terminals or public utility vehicles,” it added.