The vulnerability of women to sexual harassment: a policy analysis on the effectiveness of the implementation of anticatcalling ordinance in Novaliches, Quezon City

Abstract

This paper analyzes the implementation of Anti-Catcalling Ordinance in Novaliches, Quezon City. This was conducted in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the currently implemented ordinance, to be able to propose solutions and recommendations for the improvement of the ordinance. The success or failure of this ordinance is determined by the gathered data before and after the implementation, the perception of women, the barangay and police officers regarding this ordinance. Women who have been victims of sexual harassment were interviewed and the results showed that majority of them do not know about the Anti-Catcalling Ordinance and they did not seek help of the authorities after they have experienced sexual harassment. Aside from the victims of sexual harassment, the barangay officials and officers were also interviewed to find out how do they handle sexual harassment cases. It was revealed that upon the implementation of the law, there is an increase in the reported sexual harassment cases. The ordinance gave motivation to women to report it to the authorities. However, there is still a slight confusion about the rules and guidelines of the said ordinance and it is still not fully well-implemented. Furthermore, there is no clear report that it lessened the number of sexual harassment cases to women.