Pia: Sexual harassment issue underscores
need for gender sensitivity awareness

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today commended the leadership of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) for taking immediate steps to address the sexual harassment case filed by former Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) Cristy Ramos against two members of the Philippine Azkals Football Team.

"I understand that an apology was promptly issued to Ms. Ramos by Azkals team manager Dan Palami, as soon as he learned about the complaint that she filed. The PFF has also committed to cooperate with the investigation by the disciplinary committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the sport's governing body in the region," said Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations.

"This issue should remind us of the importance of educating our people and raising public awareness on gender sensitivity. Women should be accorded respect and treated by men as coequals and partners in development. At all times, men should be more conscious of their words and actions that may be offensive or degrading to women," concluded the lady senator, who also pushed for the passage of RA 9710, the 'Magna Carta of Women' in August, 2009.