Gender harassment banned in Bauang

By Joanna P. Diaz-Sabado

BAUANG, La Union - The local government of Bauang made history as its legislative council was the first in the province to enact an ordinance prohibiting gender-based harassment in the municipality.
    Ordinance No. 15 was recently enacted, a year after the Safe Spaces Act or Republic Act 11313 in the country was passed.
    Gender-based harassment “may include catcalling, cursing, wolf-whistling unwanted invitations, intrusive gazing, homophobic and sexist slurs, statements of sexual comments, persistent uninvited comments on a person's appearance or disability, groping, flashing of private parts, or any other advances whether verbal or physical that threatens one’s personal space and physical safety.”
    “Before, we feel that our rights are violated, we feel we are harassed with remarks like if you are a girl from Bauang, you are lowly and do not deserve respect,” Tanya Roberta De Guzman, first time legislator and author of the ordinance, said.
    As a violence against women (VAW)-survivor herself, De Guzman said that she must do her responsibility as a woman to protect her daughter and as a councilor to other women and girls.
    “We deserve respect, free from being threatened, wear whatever we want without being harassed,” De Guzman said.
    Stipulated penalties in the ordinance include P500 for the first offense; P1,000 pesos for the second; and P1,500 for the third offense.
    A maximum penalty will be dealt by the offender if harassment is committed against a minor, senior citizen, person with disability, breastfeeding mother, or a person with mental impairment.
    De Guzman noted that even with the one-year ordinance in place, no one yet was penalized or apprehended.
    “Despite this, the localized Bawal Bastos Act is something we can be proud of because we can help empower women to be safe and secured in Bauang,” she added.
    Safe spaces in public places include streets and alleys, parks, school buildings, malls, bars, restaurants, public markets, public terminals, evacuation centers, government offices, public utility vehicles, and other recreational spaces.
    “With a woman mayor, four lady legislators, and an LGBT legislator, we can do more to empower fellow women and members of the LGBT community in the town,” De Guzman said. -- PIA La Union