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QC cracks down on catcalling, other forms of street-level sexual harassment


The local government of Quezon City has passed an ordinance aiming to reduce catcalling and other forms of street-level sexual harassment against women, Jun Veneracion reported on 24 Oras on Thursday.

The Gender and Development ordinance will impose fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and jail terms of one day to one year on people caught making disparaging remarks or stalking women around the city.

"Ang Quezon City ang kauna-unahang lungsod sa buong Pilipinas na nag-iimpose na ngayon ng fines, penalties, at pagkakulong sa sinumang taong mambabastos," QC Administrator Aldrin Cuña explained.

"Harassing a woman or a girl in public... catcalling, yung 'pagka tinawag mong 'Ms. Beautiful,' 'pa-kiss', 'yan. 'Seksi mo', 'yan. 'Pagka sa tingin at pakiwari ng babae ay siya ay nabastos, that is a light offense," he added.

Stalking or making lascivious gestures such as winking at women are considered medium violations while groping and touching women are severe violations.

Women may file their complaints with the women's desk of any nearby police station.

The GAD ordinance by the QC Gender and Development Resource and Coordinating Office was formed in response to the United Nation Entity for Gender Equality's call against sexual harassment.

According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment includes "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature".

UN Ambassador for Safe Cities Glaiza de Castro said women must take care of themselves and report harassment to discourage such behavior.

"Minsan kasi mas madaling tumahimik na lang. 'Yun yung pinakamadaling way to get away with it pero siyempre, alagaan natin yung sarili natin. Bilang mga babae, kailangan mabigyan din ng leksyon hindi lang yung mga tao na nanghaharass sa 'tin kundi yung sarili rin natin," de Castro said.

QC Mayor Herbert Bautista is expected to sign the ordinance within the month to allow its formal enforcement. —Rie Takumi/JST, GMA News

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