Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte recently signed a law against sexual harassment. However, critics say, it might be difficult to implement the law as Duterte known for his rape jokes.
He signed the law that prohibits behaviour like catcalling and sexist slurs. Duterete's rape jokes have been cause for outrage in the past.
“Under this context, implementing the law will certainly be a challenge,” said representative of women's rights party, Gabriela.
The law imposes fines and, in some cases, prison sentences for sexual harassment in streets, schools and offices, including wolf-whistling, groping, misogynistic slurs, as well as uninvited comments or gestures referring to a person's appearance.
The law also prohibits gender-based online sexual harassment. And this, according to the law includes using information and communications technology in terrorizing and intimidating victims through physical, psychological, and emotional threats, unwanted comments online cyberstalking and incessant messaging among others.
In 2016 he wolf-whistled at a female journalist during a nationally televised news conference, while last year he kissed a Filipina woman onstage during a visit to South Korea in a move that prompted accusations of abuse of power. Also in 2016, he said that he wanted to rape a 'beautiful' Australian missionary who was killed in a Philippine prison riot. This provoked much fury.
