Group: Duterte top enabler of violence against women
Women’s rights activists have accused President Rodrigo Duterte as the top enabler of violence against women, after he attributed the rising incidence of rape in Davao City to women’s physical appeal.
In a statement, General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (GABRIELA) in Cebu has expressed its condemnation over the "macho-fascist" statement of the president.
It cited that Duterte has perpetuated the worsening culture in the country where rape cases continue to be prevalent.
The former Davao City mayor, in a speech, said there are many rape cases in that city because there are many beautiful women there.
He remarked on PNP’s disclosure of statistics noting Davao City with the highest rape cases.
“Instead of accordingly addressing this alarming issue of violence against women and their children (VAWC), Duterte proceeded to blabber his sexist and misogynist remarks,” read the group’s statement.
GABRIELA-Cebu emphasized that committing rape has nothing to do with the rapists’ expression of affection towards the victims or the latter’s appeal and beauty.
“Rape has nothing to do with what a woman wears, her moral beliefs, religious beliefs, political affiliations or class origin. Rape is nothing short of invoking one’s power against women’s inherent agency and inalienable dignity,” it stated further.
The organization denounced the president for continuously throwing antiwomen statements since he campaigned for his post.
“When he ran as president, he boasted that he should have been first to rape a foreign missionary. He has offered “42 virgins” to foreign investors to encourage investments in our country. He has ordered “shoot-to-kill in the vagina” (on) female rebels to render them “useless”, as if a woman’s worth is tied only in her capacity to provide sexual pleasure. He also offered pardon to soldiers who rapes women,” the group recalled.
The Cebu Urban Poor Women’s League also expressed disappointment over the president’s act of degrading women’s dignity.
The group’s chairperson Belinda Allere said Duterte failed to see the significant role of women, who bore and nurtured the leaders and professionals of today, including him.
His stance only shows a patriarchal system in the government, she added.
She asserted that the president should rather respect women as it is inappropriate for the country’s highest ranking elective official to mock women’s importance in the society.