Good news, ladies. We are a step closer to feeling safer on the streets, because the Senate passed Senate Bill No. 1326 or the “Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act of 2017” on its final reading.
Under this bill, catcalling, wolf-whistling, cursing, leering, and groping will be penalized.
Persistent requests for name and contact details, as well as 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 are also grounds for getting penalized.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros called the passage of the bill a much-needed win for women and the LGBT community “at a time when sexism and misogyny seem to be the new normal.” She added, “This is a major push back against street-based sexual harassment and the culture of sexism in the country.” She expressed hope that with the passing of the bill comes a visible 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,” she said.
The Senate’s passing of this bill is truly a landmark win for us. We just hope the House of Representatives will do the same, so public spaces can become much safer places for us all.
[GMA News]
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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