Senator, groups laud Manila for passage of anti-harassment ordinance

Several groups and individuals promoting the welfare of women, including Senator Risa Hontiveros, have heaped praise on the City of Manila after an ordinance against different forms of sexual harassment was passed on the third and final reading.

In a statement from Hontiveros on Sunday, she said that Manila Ordinance No. 7857 which was authored by District 4 Councilor Krystle Bacani will encourage other local government units to penalize harassment against women.

“It could also trigger behavioral change and alter sexist language habits among our people,” Hontiveros said.

The United Nations (UN) for Women and the Institute for Politics and Governance (IPG) also considered the passage of the ordinance as a “triumph” for Filipino women.

“We likewise thank all the councilors who close ranks with us, and to Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada for giving his all-out support for the passage of the ordinance,” Institute for Politics and Governance Executive Director Arline Santos said during the press conference on Sunday.

“This is a clear triumph of Manileñas and women in general, and a step in the right direction to urban renewal,” she added.

With the ordinance, harassment against women such as cat-calling, wolf-whispering leering, groping, or even a persistent request for name and contact details will be penalized.

IPG and other non-government organizations that form the UN Women’s Safe Cities Metro Manila Programme, has urged Manila to pass the ordinance.  According to Santos, Manila and Quezon City are the only cities in Metro Manila to have an ordinance to fight sexual harassment.

“We are extremely happy with the passage of this measure. After years of lobbying, campaigning and raising awareness, the local government of Manila finally heeded the growing public clamor to make the city’s streets and other public spaces safe for women,” Bacani said.

“The message is clear: the country’s capital will not tolerate street-based sexual harassment. Sexual harassers, your days are numbered,” she added.

For Hontiveros, who is the chair of the Senate committee on women, the ordinance is a big help in the creation of Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act.

“This will certainly serve as an inspiration as we push for the passage of a similar policy on the national level,” she said. /ee