MANILA— Sen. Risa Hontiveros has introduced a bill seeking to define and penalize violence against women in politics (VAWP), including online harassment, gender-based disinformation, sexual threats and other forms of abuse intended to discourage women from participating in public affairs.

The proposed measure, titled “An Act Defining and Penalizing Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP), Providing Protective Measures Therefor, and for Other Purposes,” seeks to establish a legal framework addressing gender-based violence directed at women exercising their political rights.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Hontiveros cited the continued underrepresentation of women in Philippine politics, noting that women account for only 90 of the 318 members of the House of Representatives, or 28.3%.

Women also hold only five of the Senate’s 24 seats, representing 20.8%, according to the document.

The measure identifies violence as an additional barrier to women’s participation in politics, affecting candidates, elected and appointed officials, political party members, campaign volunteers and advocates.

It seeks to cover various forms of abuse, including economic, institutional, physical, psychological, sexual and technology-facilitated violence.

The explanatory note also highlights the growing use of digital platforms to target women in politics through coordinated harassment, threats of physical and sexual harm, gendered disinformation and artificial intelligence-generated sexual images.

According to the document, online abuse can spread rapidly, reinforce misogynistic narratives and cause lasting harm, potentially silencing, intimidating or discrediting women in public life.

The bill argues that such attacks go beyond individual victims, undermining democratic participation by discouraging women from seeking elective office, joining political debates or pursuing leadership roles. It also warns that harassment and intimidation could deter younger women and girls from considering careers in public service.

While existing laws address certain forms of violence, harassment and cybercrime, the explanatory note says a gap remains in recognizing and responding specifically to violence against women in the exercise of their political rights.

The proposed legislation seeks to define and prohibit gender-based political violence, establish reporting and protection mechanisms, and strengthen coordination among government agencies, digital platforms and law enforcement authorities.

It also recognizes the intersectional nature of such violence, noting that gender may intersect with age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and socioeconomic status.

The measure emphasizes the State’s responsibility to ensure that women can participate in political and public life without intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

The explanatory note maintains that protecting women’s participation in politics is essential not only to gender equality but also to an inclusive and representative democracy.