Duterte’s ‘sexist’ remarks encourage sexual violence, says women’s group

A pro-women's group said President Rodrigo Duterte's remarks against women encourages sexual violence.

Jean Enriquez, executive director of Coalition Against Trafficking In Women – Asia Pacific (CATW-AP), said Duterte's "sexist" pronouncements should not be dismissed as mere jokes.

"Hindi namin tinatanggap na ito ay, sabi ko nga lagi, hindi benign ang mga pananalita kaya ang tawag namin, pag-e-enngganyo ito ng sexual violence and encouragment," Enriquez said on GMA's News To Go.

It's not a joke because such remarks have been put on the consciousness of our people, lalo na 'yung mga may kapangyarihan na tingin nila, 'yung mga kalalakihan, ang tingin nila kahit kailan puwede nilang i-access ang katawan ng mga kababaihan," she said.

Enriquez made the statement on Friday as the country celebrated the International Women's Day.

The CATW-AP executive director slammed Duterte when he earlier said that soldiers are allowed to rape women in the context of martial law in Mindanao.

"Nagbubukas ito ng mga sugat ng mga kapatid nating Muslim na marami sa kanila ay nakaranas ng pang-aabusong sekswal noong panahon ng martial law," she said.

Enriquez also denounced Duterte's story of touching his maid, which showed that the president has no remorse for his misdeeds.

"Unfortunately in the current dispensation, nakikita natin ang mga officials ng ating bayan ang lumalabag sa Magna Carta for Women. Kasi sila dapat ang pangunahing nagpapatuloy ng rights of women, hindi nila tinitingnan [bilang] object ang women, hindi dapat sila nagbibigay ng mga sexist remarks o mag-e-encourage ng sexual violence lalo na kapag kaharap ang mga sundalo at mga pulis," she said.

Enriquez said that although their organization had pushed for laws on the protection of women, violence against them remains high in the country.

She cited a National Demographic and Health Survey data that shows one out of four Filipinas experienced physical or sexual violence.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday called for a united effort "to address the strategic needs of women," including the proper implementation of the law that seeks to eliminate discrimination against them. —Jamil Santos/ LDF, GMA News