QC criminalizes catcalling and street-level harassment

Well, it’s about time. 

Most females, especially the ones who have to endure daily commmutes, are all too familiar with steet-level harassment.

In an effort to create safer public places for women, the Quezon City council passed the Gender and Development Ordinance. It is meant to help reduce unwanted sexual advances. 

There’s a PHP1,000 to PHP5,000 fine and jail time of up to one year waiting for offenders.

So what are considered violations?

According to GMA News, light violations are those which tend to humiliate or embarass the woman using words with dirty connotations. This includes cat-calling, wolf-whistling, and asking for the woman’s number for dates.

Medium violations include stalking, visual harassment and making suggestive gestures, such as winking at women.

Touching, pinching, or brushing up against the body of a person is also considered a severe violation. 

UN Ambassador for Safe Cities Glaiza de Castro is part of the campaign. 

To formalize its enforcement, QC Mayor Herbert Bautista is expected to sign the ordinance this month. 

In the Philippines, Quezon City is the first to impose fines, penalties, and jail time for street-level harassment. We’re hoping that the other cities would soon follow suit.



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