Rodrigo Duterte signs Philippine law punishing catcalling, sexual harassment
- Law bans acts like persistent telling of sexual jokes, which women’s groups have accused president of committing in the past
- Senator Risa Hontiveros, main author of Safe Spaces Act, calls it a massive victory against growing ‘rude culture’ in streets and communities
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a bill into law penalising a range of acts of sexual harassment including catcalling, wolf-whistling and persistent telling of sexual jokes, which pro-women’s groups have accused him of committing.
Philippine officials released on Monday a copy of Republic Act 11313, known as the “Safe Spaces Act”, which Duterte signed in April. The reason for the delay in its public release was not immediately clear.
The bill’s main author, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros, has called the law a “massive victory” against a growing culture of rude sexist actions.
“This is a big victory and a major push back against the growing ‘rude culture’ in our streets and communities,” Hontiveros said. “With this law, we will reclaim our streets from sexual harassers and gender bigots and make public spaces safe for all.”
The law defines a range of offensive acts, including catcalling, wolf-whistling, intrusive gazing, cussing, misogynistic acts, sexist slurs and persistent telling of sexual jokes in public, including in streets, workplaces, vehicles, schools, recreational areas, bars or online.