Many, many studies demonstrate the myriad ways that women are discriminated against and unequal in countries world-wide. In the United States, our latest nationally representative study, done in partnership with Raliance and UCSD Center for Gender Equity and Health, adds to the stark picture.
For just a few of the many alarming data points:
- 81% of women nationwide have experienced sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.
- 51% of women nationwide have reported being touched or groped without their permission.
- 27% of women nationwide are survivors of sexual assault.
Among women who experienced sexual harassment and/or assault:
- 57% said their first experience of sexual abuse occurred by age 17.
- 88% said they’d experienced sexual harassment or assault in multiple locations.
- The #1 location for experiences of sexual harassment was a public space and the #1 location for sexual assault was a private residence.
How can women and girls ever hope to achieve equality with men and boys when we are disproportionately harmed, and harmed across many spaces of our life (private homes, public spaces, schools, workplaces, online, etc.)?
And what could women and girls collectively achieve if we were not worrying about staying safe? If we were not regularly practicing avoidance strategies to try to reduce encounters of harassment and assault? If we were not being harassed as a tactic to exclude us from decision-making and leadership positions? If we were not coping with the aftermath of trauma from sexual harassment and assault?
Would world hunger be solved? Would climate change not be an issue? Would gun violence be reduced?
We expend so much time and energy just dealing with the threat of, the actual experiences of, and the aftermath of sexual harassment and assault that it robs us of valuable time and energy that we could use in more productive, fun and useful ways. We lose. Our community loses. The world loses.
This International Women’s Day, the theme is #PushforProgress. What will you do to push for the elimination of sexual harassment and assault?
- Will you speak up against abusive behavior?
- Will you teach the boys in your life to be respectful, accept “no” graciously and make room for women and girls?
- Will you lead local campaigns?
- Will you share your own stories to raise awareness?
Whatever you choose to do, you can make a difference and help ensure that the world becomes a more equitable place for women and girls.
And if you have the means, you can be our hero by making a tax-deductible donation today and help fund our initiatives (like national research, International Anti-Street Harassment Week and transit campaigns). Our work is made possible by generous individual donors.
