Sexual harassment in public places is a form of violence, as experienced by Filipino women. This kind of harassment includes unwanted comments, gestures and actions forced to a stranger without their consent and is directed at them because of their sex, gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation. 

According to Social Weather Stations, in Quezon City alone, 3 out of 5 women have experienced sexual harassment at least once in their lifetime. Across all ages, catcalling is the most experienced case. 

The Quezon City council passed an ordinance that aimed to protect young girls and women from sexual harassment in public places. 

The Gender and Development Ordinance, authored by Councilor Mayen Juico, will impose fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 and jail term of up to one year on offenders.

“Ang Quezon City ang kauna-unahang lungsod sa buong Pilipinas na nag-iimpose na ngayon ng fines, penalties, at pagkakulong sa sinumang taong mambabastos,” QC Administrator Aldrin Cuña said.

Light violations include: cursing, wolf-whistling, catcalling, repeatedly asking for the woman’s number or for dates and calling a woman in public with words having dirty connotations or implications which tend to ridicule, humiliate or embarrass the woman. 

Medium offenses include stalking, making offensive mouth, tongue, lip, hand or body gestures, and visual harassment for sexual gratification, while unnecessary or deliberately touching, pinching, or brushing up against the body of a person; introduction of any object into the genitalia, anus, or mouth of any person; exhibition of genitals or pubic area, and public masturbation are deemed severe violations.

Victims of these kinds of harassment may file their complaints at the women’s desk of any nearby police station.

Catcalling and other street-level forms of sexual harassment against women do not only happen in Quezon City, it happens in every part of our country. Every city should have an ordinance to help reduce this kind of violence. 

With all that's been happening and all the sexual harassment cases, women shouldn't feel unsafe walking down the streets for the fear of being harassed by a stranger. All streets should be harmless for us. Sign this petition if you want your city to be a safe haven for women and have this ordinance; if you are willing to end violence against women; if you don't want any woman like you to get harassed again.