MANILA - Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday spoke against misogyny and bigotry, as she urged men to accord women the respect they need.

“We need men – evolved ones, kind ones, brave ones who are willing to stand up and speak up against misogyny and bigotry, and help us create spaces for our women to lead in society,” Robredo said.

Robredo lamented that stories of women being harassed even in the United States and Europe still abound.

“Catcalling, misogynistic remarks, and even violence are still considered the fault of the woman if her knees show when she sits,” she said.

In her keynote speech at the 1st Southeast Asian Women’s Summit in Miriam College in Quezon City, Robredo also cited empowered women like Siayan Mayor Flora Villarosa helped her small town in Zamboanga Del Norte fight poverty.

Robredo said women also need opportunities, especially in a growing Southeast Asian community.

“We need to take advantage of the opportunities created by the ASEAN Economic Community by making sure that our workers are ready. When we do, our people, especially our women, will not be left behind; instead, they will be equipped with competencies that are in line with the demands of the international labor market,” she said.

The summit, running from November 7 to 9 with the theme “50 Years of ASEAN, What’s in it for women and why women are in it,” was also attended by Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng and Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely.