To elevate the consciousness and sensitivity of the people towards the challenges and issues of women in the society in the context of gender and violence, a Gender and Development talk was held at the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) Main Building on March 08, 2023, in celebration of the International Women’s Day.
The event coincided with the month-long celebration of the National Women’s Month where a series of activities is lined-up in recognizing and celebrating the crucial significance of women and in tackling the issues that threaten their safety and security through the discussion of laws safeguarding them.
Police Major (PMAJ) Pearl Manyll L. Marzo of the Puerto Princesa City Police Office, Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) discussed Republic Act No. 11313 (Safe Spaces Act) commonly known as the “Bawal Bastos Law”. Enacted in 2019, it aims to define and penalize any Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educational or Training Institutions.
“Hindi naman po natin sinasabi na kapag ang lalaki ang nabastos o nakakaranas ng pambabastos, hindi na sila puwede mag-file ng [complaint]. Lahat ng tao na nabastos o napahiya, sexually o hindi, puwedeng mag-reklamo under the law” she said.
PMAJ Marzo also discussed Republic Act No. 9262, or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children Act aimed at raising awareness on varied forms of violence which women and their children experience in violation of their rights and the law. Enacted in 2004, it defines and penalizes violations and abuses committed against women and their children in the context of the former’s intimate relationship with their spouses or partners.
“Since public crime po ang RA 9262, lahat po pwedeng mag-reklamo, lahat nang nakakaalam ng pang-aabuso sa isang babae” she added.
To address any questions and clarifications regarding the topics, she allowed the participants to raise the same during and after each lecture.
The international women celebration-event is guided by the theme: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.
