Catcalls now banned in Manila

Image representation from Comedy Central The passage of city ordinances against catcalling will hopefully lead to its legislation as a national policy.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros made the statement following the approval by the Manila City Council of an ordinance penalizing catcalling and other forms of public sexual harassment, two years after the Quezon City government penalized street-level harassment of women.

“The passage of this landmark measure is a big victory for women and safe spaces advocates. It is historic and groundbreaking,” said Hontiveros.

“An anti-catcalling ordinance in the country’s capital is a big boost to the campaign to protect its women from daily street harassment and a clear policy shift on the part of our local government,” she added.

“This will certainly serve as an inspiration as we push for the passage of a similar policy on the national level,” the chair of the Senate committee on women said.

Hontiveros is pushing the passage of a Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act in the Senate.

The bill aims to prohibit and penalize gender-based harassment in public spaces such as catcalling, wolf-whistling, cursing, leering, groping, persistent request for name and contact details.

It also seeks to penalize the use of words tending to ridicule on the basis of actual or perceived sex, gender expression, or sexual orientation and identity, including sexist, homophobic and transphobic slurs.

Hontiveros’ bill is scheduled for interpellation once the Senate resumes session.

The ordinance, sponsored by Manila District 4 Councilor Krystle Bacani, penalizes all forms of sexual harassment in public spaces such as catcalling, wolf-whistling, leering, groping and many others.

It also outlines clear penalties for violations and violators and enhances the role of the Manila Police District in apprehending harassers. Manila Ordinance 7857 was passed on third and final reading by the Manila City Council on Thursday.