SAFE SPACES ACT(RA 11313): PROTECTION AGAINST THE HORRORS OF MISOGYNY

 

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, North Eastern Mindanao State University conducted a webinar on the RA 11313/Safe Spaces Act and VAW FREE activities. Dr. Sheila Marie “Shake” Hocson of FEU and Pediapharma Foundation, the resource speaker, tackled about how can a VAW FREE community starts with us and on safe space and anti-bullying.

 

The stereotypes on genders are quite an issue that has been going on since time immemorial. The idea of being a woman has always been equated less than that of men. We are often viewed as weak and incapable of many things. Misogyny has been running along with the time. The feeling of superiority of them has boosted the violence against women.

Misogyny is the hatred or the prejudice against women. If we come to think of it, it is indeed a toxic idea which is powered by the egoistic nature of men. How can you hate someone based on their gender? How can you view that as weak point for you to abuse them? How can you invalidate women for being a woman? It is sad that sexual harassment is often the fruit of such.

Misogyny is just a fancy word for inequality. Less wage for women. Lower positions for women. Incapability to run in political position. Domestic abuse. These are the harsh and realistic situations that are often related to misogyny. The violence against women could come in a very little stare that will eventually turn into something sexually exploiting. And even into physical, emotional, and mental exploitation.

I have observed that even now in 2021, coming out as a victim of harassment is still a taboo. Victim blaming is still a hindering factor for everyone that has been done bad by their perpetrators. They’re told that “you should’ve known better” or “you also wanted it”. It is just saddening that insensitive people have the audacity to comment on such situation which probably she has never been to. You never know the fear they’ve been through. I would like to point out; no one wants to be abused in any kind or form. The next time we see someone coming out, we should be respectful enough to assess their situations and help them.

The Safe Space Act/RA 11313, signed in 2019, otherwise known as the “BAWAL BASTOS LAW” is a legal intervention and a concrete solution for anyone experiencing such. The law focuses on gender-based sexual harassment in public areas such as streets, privately-owned places open to the public, and public utility vehicles, among others. There are degrees of offenses with appropriate punishment. It includes fines and imprisonment. All the establishments; bars, cinemas, public and privately owned establishments, schools, etc., should have zero tolerance policy against sexual harassment.

To give this blog a common ground, I would like to clarify that sexual harassment does not just happen to women. Men are victims too. Transmen and transwomen are victims too. And they are covered by such law. Literally, anyone who has experienced catcalling and stalking are already grounds to be punished by the law.

Having “Violence Against Women Free Community” should start within us, said Dr. Shake Hocson. All of us should be disciplined and respectful to well-being of everyone. If we practice such, we won’t spark a chance of any undesirable circumstances. If we all choose to be not “BASTOS”, problems could be avoided. As an attendee of the webinar and as a woman myself, I am proud to say that I am an advocate for a safe space for everyone, regardless of gender preferences. I believe that it is right that we fight the stigma against all genders and most of all, the stigma against the victims of sexual abuses. Through this, we can let respect and positivity foster and eventually achieve the envisioned safe space and a VAW FREE Community.

#BAWALBASTOSLAW

#RESPECTFOREVERYONE

#FIGHTTHESTIGMA

#BEANADVOCATE