De Lima seeks probe on abuses vs women activists

Sen. Leila de Lima —JOSEPH VIDAL

Opposition Senator Leila De Lima called on Wednesday for a Senate probe on the alleged human rights abuses involving female activists.

De Lima has filed Senate Resolution No. 573 urging the Senate to investigate the abuses on human rights defenders particularly those caused by their gender and their activism.

“Women human rights defenders are victims and potential targets of physical assault, sexual violence, misogynistic attack, and even death, all of which are forms of gender-based violence,” the senator said in a statement.

“They should be protected by all relevant agencies and mechanisms of government, by way of investigation and prosecution of those who may be liable for deaths, physical assaults, verbal violence, and other forms of abuses,” De Lima, a human rights defender, added.

The former justice secretary urged other senators to prioritize the issues concerning woman rights defenders to end gender discrimination against women.

“We cannot allow misogynists in positions of power. As a public servant, it is our duty to promote gender equality and encourage all human beings to openly express their societal and political beliefs without being subjected to harassment,” she said.

On Aug. 5 1981, the Philippines ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw) that obliged other countries “to undertake legislative measures that will eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.”

Discrimination against women, defined by Cedaw, is “any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women on the basis of fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”