QC conducts campaign to end violence against women

• Source:http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/231448515440/qc-conducts-campaign-to-end-violence-against-women
• Thursday, November 26, 2015

(QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 26 (PIA)--All men must speak out against street harassment and sexual violence against women in our cities.

Thus said, Mayor Herbert Bautista to over 100 male advocates who attended “Building Image through Safe Cities and Safe Communities,” kick off activity of Men Opposed to Violence Everywhere (MOVE) an 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women, held every year from November 25 to December 12.

In the event, Bautista asserted that men can be agents of change. “Men are key in eliminating all forms of gender-based violence particularly street harassment and sexual violence in our city streets,” he said.

Quezon City government has partnered with UN Women to implement the Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global Initiative.

QC is the first city in Metro Manila to join over 24 cities around the world in the programme to stop street harassment and sexual violence against women in public spaces with the support of the Spanish Cooperation for International Development (AECID).

The city stands one with the United Nations Women (UN Women) and the rest of the nation during the 18-day Campaign, highlighting the issue of street harassment and all forms of sexual violence that women experience as they move about in the city – using public transport, lining up in terminals, going to markets/malls, and even just walking home in their own neighborhoods.

Bautista said whether due to shame or fear, women traditionally ignore and keep silent about catcalls, stalking, repeated harassment for their numbers, male public exposure, rubbing or groping (panghihipo) inside the MRT/ jeepneys, even bearing indecent language being yelled at them by men as they walk by.

During the 18-day campaign, UN Women also launches the 4Rs to Stop Street Harassment: Realize, Respond, Report and Reform. (1) Women should realize their rights. (2) People should respond to the harassers and talk back, if they are harassed or witness a sexual harassment. (3) Report the experiences on social media and to friends and support groups, do not stay silent.

People can also report to the police and barangay hall because sexual harassment in against the Quezon City GAD Code. (4) We all need to change the culture that tolerates sexual harassment and violence in our city streets.