Anyone who’s walked through NYC in summer time knows that street harassment is a huge problem. Even being relatively covered-up seems to invite unwanted comments from the male peanut gallery. Of course, catcalling and whistling are just the most innocuous in a long list of nausea-inducing behaviors that plague women worldwide, when it comes to street harassment.
To raise awareness of the issue, the people at Stop Street Harassment have organized International Anti-Street Harassment Week, which begins on March 18 and ends March 24. This year’s event has over 100 co-sponsors, and events planned in 18 countries–to find or register an event near you, check here.
Of course, even if you can’t join an event, there are many ways to participate online. The event’s website suggests these simple but effective ways to share your message:
- Change your Facebook profile picture to be the Anti-Street Harassment Week logo
- Write and post a street harassment story on a blog, Tumblr, Twitter, or Facebook
- Tweet about street harassment using #EndSHWeek, or join the #SheParty chat on March 21 at 3 p.m. EDT to tweet about street harassment (organized by the Women’s Media Center)
- Write an article, op-ed, or blog post about street harassment
Many stories have already been shared on the blog at Stop Street Harassment, so you can read real stories submitted by women from around the world. Also, check out this poignant and succinct video, “Walking Home,” directed by Nuala Cabral, which depicts the ugly nature of catcalls and the mental effort required to ignore them.
[video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Qpi-fW6jA&feature=player_embedded 425×344]Image source: meetusonthestreet.org
