Manila – The Institute for Labor Studies, through its Gender and Development Committee (GAD), successfully held a Learning Session on the Safe Spaces Act or Republic Act No. 11313 (Bawal Bastos Law) last September 14 via the Zoom platform and broadcast live via the Official ILS Facebook page.

“We must ensure that workplaces continue to be a safe space for workers where they are respected, secure, and free of verbal, emotional, psychological, and physical harm. The Safe Spaces Act serves as a mechanism to ensure that workers are physically and emotionally safe, guaranteeing full respect for human rights,” highlights ILS Executive Director Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba in her Opening Remarks.

The session was led and facilitated by Atty. Claire de Leon, from the Commission on Human Rights. The event provided an overview of the Act, and discussed how the law can be observed and amplified within workplaces.

The webinar tackled the pertinent provisions covering all forms of gender-based sexual harassment (GBSH) committed in public spaces, educational or training institutions, workplace, and online space.

Preliminaries dealt with a discussion on the background and significance of the Act. It likewise focused on the important definitions and LGBTQI inclusive provisions such as catcalling, slurs, and remarks that are homophobic, misogynistic and transphobic.

Atty. de Leon also touched on various forms of gender-based harassment, which could be perpetrated in places such as streets and public spaces, online spaces, workplace and in educational and training Institutions.

This was followed by an Open Forum which was participated by all members of the audience. Host Ms. Fameronag also served as the Moderator during the Q and A.

GAD Chair Franchesca Rose S. Castillo delivered the Closing Remarks on behalf of ILS Deputy Executive Director Atty. Mary Grace L. Riguer-Teodosio.

“Each and every one of us has role to make spaces safe for all people, and we can also take a stand to empower others against gender-based violence and sexual harassment to reinforce gender equality. Everyone has a responsibility to respect the rights of other people. Everyone has a role to play in ending gender-based violence and sexual harassment. Dahil lahat tayo ay may magagawa, dahil lahat ay makikinabang.”

The entire session is accessible online via this link: https://www.facebook.com/ilsdoleofficial/videos/2426784907621142