Drive vs. sexual harassment, rape to roll out in Naga

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MANILA— The Respeto Naman campaign which advocates against sexual harassment is marking its first-year anniversary this month and will soon roll out in Naga City, the Swedish Embassy in Manila announced Friday.

“The nationwide campaign #RespetoNaman is marking its first year of raising awareness and working towards the end of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Philippines. For this milestone, #RespetoNaman will be bringing the conversation to Naga City, through the #DontTellThemHowToDress exhibit,” the embassy said Friday.

Respeto Naman campaign is a collaboration among the Embassy of Sweden in the Philippines, SPARK! Philippines, the Office of Vice President Leni Robredo, the United Nations, Empower, Terre des Hommes through Girls Advocacy Alliance, and Para sa Sining.

It focuses on the issues of rape and sexual harassment and has been launched in different parts of the country, including Metro Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, and Dumaguete.

One component of the movement is the “Don’t Tell Them How To Dress” exhibit which features the stories of GBV victims, as well as educational forums.

“With this campaign, we aim to give advocates of gender equality and victims the support and encouragement they need to speak up against sexual harassment and gender-based violence,” Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries said in a statement.

“We also want to strengthen prevention mechanisms through education and discourse on misogynistic attitudes that lead to violence against women,” he added.

The envoy noted that the campaign has been “instrumental” in the embassy’s advocacy of eliminating GBV.

In its second year, SPARK! executive director Maica Teves, meanwhile, said the movement will focus on an action-based approach.

“For the coming year we’re gearing towards a more action-oriented approach, focusing on working with communities to create sustainable, and lasting solutions to end violence in the Philippines,” she said.