March 20 is International Anti-Street Harassment Day. The stories submitted to my blog this week alone make it very clear week why we need it:
- Three of the stories were about grown men harassing teenage girls. These stories make my blood boil.
- I was disappointed to receive my first story from a woman in Norway, a country that ranks #2 for gender equality. I had hoped that countries with more gender equality may be free from street harassment. I was wrong. It happens everywhere.
- I was sad to read an American woman’s story of turning down a job opportunity in Jordan because of the constant harassment she had faced there.
To participate on March 20, all you need to do is agree to share a story or talk about street harassment online or in person with a family member, friend, neighbor, classmate, colleague, or even a complete stranger! Let’s break the silence around this global problem.
- Here are 10 ideas for action on March 20
- If you’re on twitter, tweet about street harassment with either of these hashtags: #antistreetharassmentday and #march20
- If you plan to submit an article for a local or campus newspaper, here are useful statistics to include. Visit the OpEdProject website for tips on writing an opinion editorial and to find the contact information and submission guidelines for more than 100 newspapers. Your stories, your opinions matter!
- You can request a press release template from me that you can tailor for your local media to announce your Anti-Street Harassment Day involvement. Email stopstreetharassment AT yahoo DOT com.
- Find inspiration for your activism:
- More than 50 videos, documentaries & PSAs
- More than 60 articles & books
- More than 120 images
- Use graphics (in 6 languages, see below), fact sheets & fliers. Download, post & share them widely and/or adapt them to create your own.
- RSVP on Facebook if you’ll participate and invite your friends to RSVP too.
Confirmed events:
- Ten events are listed on CrowdMap
- Facebook event pages:
- Baltimore event info on Facebook
- Czech Republic event info on Facebook
- Houston event info on Facebook
- Philadelphia event info on Facebook
- Portland event info on Facebook
- Saskatoon, Canada, event info on Facebook
Media coverage from the past week alone!
- Ms Magazine, “For Spring Equinox: A Global Call to End Catcalls“
- Bust Magazine, “Ending the Silence about Street Harassment: Get Involved!”
- Colorlines Magazine, “Women Fight Back Against Street Harassment“
- The F-Word, “International Anti-Street Harassment Day – March 20, 2011“
- Your Commonwealth, “Correspondence: Stop street harassment on 20 March“
- Rogers Park Young Women’s Action Team, “March 20th is the International Day Against Street Harassment”
I hope you will participate in this historic day and invite your friends and family to as well. Spring is no excuse for street harassment!!
