On Independence Day, Philippine Women Rally Against Duterte's 'Misogyny'

More than 1,000 women marched through the streets of Manila on Tuesday, June 12, to protest what they describe as President Rodrigo Duterte’s misogynistic words and actions.The protesters carried banners and signs, including one that said “#BabaeAko Lumalaban”, which means “I am a woman” and “Fight back”. As they braved the rain, they chanted, “Duterte is afraid of women!”Duterte has repeatedly been under fire for misogynist and sexist remarks, including making rape jokes, defending womanizing, and ordering soldiers to shoot female rebels in the vagina. He also whistled and catcalled a female reporter, and admitted he stared at Vice President Leni Robredo’s legs during a cabinet meeting.In the most recent controversy on June 3, he repeatedly pressured a Filipina woman to kiss him on stage during an official visit in South Korea.Women’s rights activists created a social media campaign, using the hashtag #Babaeko, in May to fight against the president’s sexist and misogynistic behaviour. Credit: Dino Manrique of Filipino Cultural Creatives (FCC) via Storyful