In cities across the world, women from all walks of life and of all ages are faced with street harassment. From cat-calls, unsolicited comments, jeering, groping, public indecency – and when women object to such degrading treatment, they’re often accused of not accepting a compliment, or having a sense of humour failure. Yes, dear reader, the mind does boggle at how whistling at a woman, like you would at a dog across the road, could ever be seen as a compliment?
Not only is street harassment one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence, but it is also seldom reported as few countries offer women any legal recourse, or public protection.
But things are slowly changing, due to amazing organizations like HOLLABACK and STOP STREET HARASSMENT, who have blazed a trail for women world wide to feel safe in public spaces.