Why do sexist remarks and harassment persist despite the Safe Spaces Act?

As Women’s Month comes to a close, a question lingers amid celebrations of women’s strength, achievements, and leadership: If laws already exist to protect women from harassment, why do sexist remarks and misogynistic comments still surface in public discourse?

Recent controversies have once again sparked debate.

Businessman and Quezon City 4th District Representative Jesus “Bong” Suntay drew criticism online after making sexual remarks toward actress Anne Curtis. In defending Suntay, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio said he felt the same way Suntay did when he saw Gabriela party-list representative Sarah Elago, a comment that further fueled backlash.

Meanwhile, during a Senate hearing on the citizenship application of Elizabeth Means, Senator Jinggoy Estrada asked whether she had a Filipino boyfriend and even joked about whether fellow Senator Kiko Pangilinan could apply.

From the streets to social media, and even within halls of power, the issue of respect toward women remains an ongoing conversation.

In 2019, the Philippines enacted the Safe Spaces Act, more widely known as the ‘Bawal Bastos Law (Republic Act 11313),’ to address gender-based harassment in public spaces, workplaces, schools, and online platforms.

But more than five years since the law took effect, an important question remains: Is legislation enough to change a culture where sexist remarks and harassment still occur?

Anyone can be held liable

Enacted in 2019, the Safe Spaces Act or Bawal Bastos Law seeks to address gender-based sexual harassment in public spaces, workplaces, schools, and online platforms.

Under the law, acts such as catcalling, wolf-whistling, intrusive staring, sexist slurs, misogynistic or transphobic remarks, stalking, and unwanted sexual comments may be considered violations. The law also covers online harassment, including gender-based abuse through social media, messaging platforms, and other digital spaces.

Unlike earlier laws that focused mainly on workplace harassment, the Safe Spaces Act expanded protection to everyday environments— from streets and public transportation to digital platforms where harassment increasingly occurs.

For the Philippine Commission on Women or PCW, the message of the law is straightforward: anyone who commits these acts can be held accountable.

“Anyone can be an offender under RA 11313. Kahit wala ka sa posisyon or people in power,” said Kim Harold Peji, Chief Gender and Development Specialist of the PCW’s Technical Services and Regional Coordination Division.

He emphasized that the law does not make exceptions based on status or influence.

“Everyone, anyone can be held liable. Walang exemption sa paglabag sa Bawal Bastos Law,” Peji said.

Rising reports of violations

Data from the PCW suggests that awareness of the law may be increasing, as more people come forward to report violations.

According to the commission, reported incidents related to the Safe Spaces Act have steadily risen over the past five years:

• 2021 – 155 cases
• 2022 – 283 cases
• 2023 – 456 cases
• 2024 – 515 cases
• 2025 – 612 cases

For Peji, the rising numbers may not necessarily mean harassment is increasing, but that more victims are beginning to recognize and report violations.

Court orders issued in relation to Safe Spaces Act violations have also gradually increased over the years:

• 2022 – 2 court orders
• 2023 – 4 court orders
• 2024 – 7 court orders
• 2025 – 11 court orders

In total, 24 court orders have been issued since 2022. Yet even these numbers may only reflect a portion of the real situation.

Data from the Philippine National Police shows that more than 13,000 cases of violence against women were recorded in 2023 alone, covering offenses such as rape, acts of lasciviousness, sexual harassment, and violations of laws including the Safe Spaces Act. 

Advocates say these figures likely represent only a portion of the real situation, as many incidents still go unreported due to fear, stigma, or lack of awareness about legal remedies.

Awareness gaps remain

While the increase in reported cases may indicate growing awareness of the Safe Spaces Act, advocates say many Filipinos are still unfamiliar with how the law works or how victims can seek help.

Despite years of campaigns promoting gender equality and women’s rights, Peji noted that awareness about the law is not evenly distributed across the country.

“Maaaring hindi sila aware sa batas, lalo na sa mga rural areas dito sa Pilipinas kung saan wala masyadong access ang iba sa internet o television,” he said.

This means that some victims may not immediately recognize harassment as a violation of the Safe Spaces Act, or may be unsure about where to report incidents.

Advocates say the challenge now is to bring information beyond urban centers and into geographically isolated communities, where access to legal information and support services remains limited.

For Peji, strengthening awareness campaigns is crucial, not only to encourage victims to report violations, but also to remind the public that acts often dismissed as jokes or casual remarks can carry legal consequences.

When sexist remarks become normalized

Sexist humor and offhand remarks may sometimes be dismissed as harmless jokes, but experts warn that repeated comments like these can have broader consequences, especially when they come from people in positions of influence.

“Kapag na-normalize, maaaring makita ng iba na okay pala itong mga pabiro o pasaring against kababaihan,” Peji said.

When influential personalities or public officials make sexist remarks, Peji explained, their words can shape how others behave in everyday spaces, from offices and classrooms to online conversations.

“Hindi ito magandang ehemplo. Malinaw sa batas na kapag tayo ay nagca-catcall o nagbibigay ng misogynistic remarks, maaari tayong makasuhan sa paglabag sa Safe Spaces Act,” he added.

But Peji emphasized that addressing harassment is not only about enforcing the law. 

While the Philippines has passed several landmark laws promoting gender equality—including the Safe Spaces Act and the Magna Carta of Women—changing deeply rooted attitudes requires confronting cultural norms that have long shaped how women are perceived and treated.

“Ang binabakbak kasi natin dito ang patriarchal na kalagayan ng ating bansa. Napakalaki ng impluwensya ng kultura kung paano tayo mag-isip,” he said.

Gender roles and expectations, he explained, are often shaped by tradition and social conditioning, which can make discriminatory behavior appear normal or acceptable in certain settings.

Ironically, historians point out that women in the Philippines once held more prominent roles in society. In pre-colonial communities, women could serve as leaders, healers, and spiritual figures known as babaylan, respected members of society who held authority alongside men.

This legacy is reflected in this year’s Women’s Month theme, “Lead Like the Babaylans, Filipinas!”, which seeks to remind Filipinos that women’s leadership and dignity have deep roots in the country’s history.

A moment for reflection

As Women’s Month ends, advocates say it should not only be a celebration— but also a moment for reflection.

Despite laws protecting gender equality, women in the Philippines continue to face persistent challenges, including misogyny, gender discrimination, unequal pay, and violence. More than seven decades ago, French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir wrote a line that still resonates today: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”

The statement reminds us that society plays a powerful role in shaping how women are treated.
And while laws like the Bawal Bastos Law exist to protect them, real change may require something deeper than legislation.

Because in the end, the challenge is not only about having laws. It is about building a society where respect for women is practiced—every day, by everyone. —ACC, GMA Public Affairs