Leaders of various women’s groups on Friday called for the end of sexual harassment in the streets of Manila at a recent forum in the capital city.
Speak Up Manileña Assembly launched a campaign to advocate for intervention programs and redress mechanisms to address catcalling and other forms of harassment against women and girls in public spaces of Manila.
In her keynote address, Jerika Ejercito, program director of Initiatives for Life and Actions of Women (ILAW) ng Maynila, highlighted the theme of the assembly, “Iba ang Manileña, Pambabastos Hindi Pinapalusot” (The Manileña doesn't let harassment pass).
“We, as Manileñas, will not be coerced into keeping our mouth shut over these evil acts. We need to stand together with all the victims of sexual harassment who cannot fight back or are powerless to do so, and make sure they are not silenced,” she said.
As a women’s rights advocate, Ejercito said Manileñas must lead the way in sending a message that there is no dishonor in being a victim or a survivor of sexual violence “as the shame will always be on the perpetrator.”
“We have to have the courage to tell people when their behavior or the way they talk or treat us makes us uncomfortable,” the daughter of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada added.
Community women leaders from the Linangan at Lakas ng Aktibong Kababaihan (LILAK), stressed that incidence of sexual harassment against women and girls in public spaces is widespread in the city.
“Many Manileñas experience lewdness and harassment when they leave their homes. They get wolf whistles and are told salacious jokes while walking the streets. Many get fondled on overpasses and when they ride the bus or LRT. A man even flashed his penis at my daughter on the jeep she rode,” Raquel Tolentiono of LILAK said.
The speakers pointed out that sexual harassment in public spaces has profound effects on women’s wellbeing, mobility and sense of security.
“Because of harassment, many women are nervous and fearful when they are outside. It affects their disposition and confidence. There are times when the simple act of walking to school or work is a struggle because of the fear of being humiliated,” stressed Carmela Aguirre of LILAK.
Ruzelle Camposano of the Sulong Kabataan Network explained that as young women, they are often told to just ignore catcalling and harassment in public spaces, while Cherry Barnuevo of Damayan ng Maralitang Pilipinong Api (DAMPA) warned against the tendency of women to tolerate harassment.
UN Women’s Officer Charisse "Chang" Jordan, National Project Officer of the Safe Cities Metro Manila Programme, underscored the importance of the responsibility of duty-bearers and stakeholders to make and keep public spaces safe, and harassment and violence free.
“This will promote women’s and girls’ freedom of movement. It will improve their ability to participate in school, work and public life. It will facilitate their access to essential services and their enjoyment of cultural and recreational opportunities. It will also impact positively on their health and well-being.”
Manila Police District’s Secretary of the Directorial Staff Col. Marissa “Blu” Bruno expressed solidarity and commitment to address sexual harassment in public spaces. They pledged to cooperate with the women’s groups in developing and proposing prevention and intervention programs specially redress mechanisms.
The Speak Out Manileña Assembly was organized by the Institute of Politics and Governance in partnership with the City of Manila NGO Program Secretariat and UN Women.
At the end of the press conference, representatives of women and youth organizations together with Jerika Ejercito and UN Women’s Chang Jordan held traditional fans with the event's message and did a series of three short whistles, which is a distress signal recognized internationally.