Utzurrum: Zonta Cebu 2 supports safe spaces ordinance

MEETING. The Zonta Cebu 2 committee “Abay sa Kahayag” meeting with Councilor Cynthia C. Remedio (standing, middle). In the photo: Zontians Mildred Simolde, Mariter Klepp, Edwina Wu, Marilou Cañizares, lawyer Regal Oliva and committee chairperson, Dr. Elsa Basubas.
MEETING. The Zonta Cebu 2 committee “Abay sa Kahayag” meeting with Councilor Cynthia C. Remedio (standing, middle). In the photo: Zontians Mildred Simolde, Mariter Klepp, Edwina Wu, Marilou Cañizares, lawyer Regal Oliva and committee chairperson, Dr. Elsa Basubas.

AMID this highly technical age of games and gadgetry, Zonta Clubs throughout the globe have likewise, immersed themselves into the techie world, campaigning against a raging, relevant issue—violence against women and girls.

Webinars have been organized, zooming in on this issue. Specifically, from Nov. 25 to Dec. 12, the “18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”

In 2006, Proclamation 1172 was signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which aims to raise awareness about gender-based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels.

On the local front, the hyperactive Zonta Club of Cebu 2 has involved itself, through its “Abay sa Kahayag” committee under chairperson Dr. Elsa Basubas, by organizing a series of activities and initiatives to highlight the perils and drastic consequences of gender-based violence.

In keeping with the “18 days of...,” the Zontians have effectively motivated barangay officials to fully mandate the directives of Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act, more popularly known as the “Bawal Bastos Law.” This legal game changer, with Sen. Risa Hontiveros as sponsor, aims to bolster the country’s battle in the area of sexual and gender-based harassment.

Regarding the above issue, the Club has organized a webinar presentation by lawyer Miles Esquivel, which will conclude with an impactful message from Senator Hontiveros. The Safe Spaces Act addresses existing gaps on equality, security and safety of both men and women in private and public spaces. Republic Act 11313 seeks to prevent gender-based sexual harassment from occurring in streets, online workplaces and educational and training institutions, regardless of motives for committing such action or remarks. It penalizes acts like wolf-whistling, cursing, leering, cat-calling, intrusive gazing, taunting, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, homophobic, sexist slurs etc.

That isn’t all. Zonta Club of Cebu 2 will provide future webinars on current subjects like human trafficking, personal experiences of harassment victims etc., with the end in view of enlisting support in the fight to eradicate violence against women and preventing the disastrous effects these might bring to communities here and around the world.

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