CHR wants end to 'sexist, misogynistic' campaigning

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has called for an end to “sexist and misogynistic” style of campaigning in the leadup to the May 9 elections.

Likewise, the CHR condemned the manipulation and fabricated videos of Aika Robredo, daughter of Vice President Leni Robredo, circulating online.

“This week, the brazen and malicious attack on Aika Robredo has made clear the persistence of sexist and misogynistic practices during elections,” the commission said in a statement released on Friday.

It has shown how violence and threats against women—crimes under our current laws—are deployed as political weapons and, in this case, as another case of clear misogyny—against a woman candidate,” it added.

Aika has sought the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the spread of her fake videos circulating online.

On the other hand, the CHR called upon government agencies to address the different forms of gender-based violence and harassment during the current election campaign.

It also challenged social media platforms to “take their roles in respecting human rights, and to stop this insidious practice on their platforms.”

“We call on social media outlet and platforms to take a stand against misogyny and sexism and not to allow these discriminatory practices to spread any further. We underscore the role of social media platforms in upholding the Safe Spaces Act, especially in addressing violations committed in online spaces,” the commission said.

Moreover, the CHR urged the public to be more vigilant and report false information circulating online.

“As part of our mandate to monitor the violation of women’s human rights and violence against women, we also urge everyone to report and document gender-related election violations in our reporting portal: gbvcovid.report,” it said.

“Let us render violence against women in politics visible and let us document and respond to all forms of gender-based violence committed during and even after this election period,” it added. —LBG, GMA News