Commission On Human Rights Pursues Bawal Bastos Law Implementation
CHR – The Commission on Human Rights pushed the absolute implementation of the ‘Bawal Bastos Law’ – a law penalizing sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment or unwelcome sexual acts always leaves a terrible memory that could affect the victims scarred for years. It could also happen to anyone at anytime, here’s a controversial confession of sexual harassment cases in Miss Earth since 2005.
To address the prevalent issue, the Commission on Human Rights took part in the implementation of the Bawal Bastos Law. A law proposed to penalize sexual harassment in any form in public places, in the workplace, in schools and other areas where it might occur.
Safe Streets, Public Spaces and Workplace Act or the new “Bawal Bastos” law lapsed into law last month according to its supporters. Jacqueline de Guia – the spokesperson of CHR – praised the announced approval of the proposed law.
De Guia also mentioned that women and LGBT members have been experiencing different forms of harassment for quite some time. Harassment in forms of: catcalling, wolf-whistling and vulgar remarks towards them made in public spaces.
She also stressed the importance of the act having a wider coverage in her statement:
“While there are cities in the Philippines, such as Manila and Quezon City, that passed local ordinances punishing such acts, a national legislation further strengthens the commitment to curb gender-based sexual harassment in streets, schools, workplaces and other similar places.”
She raised the challenge for the government sectors to develop a discrimination-free society. An accepting community where it’s safe to express individual’s true identities and a country that respects individual rights and dignity.
This is according to an article from Philstar.
The bill was proposed backed by Senator Risa Hontiveros and Akbayan Representative Tom Villarin. They revealed that the proposed legislation had passed into law after President Duterte’s failure to attend on a bicameral conference committee report that was affirmed by the Congress last February.
That is all there is to it, at least for now. We’ll post updates as soon as we got them.