There was a time we, ladies, were made to believe that getting unwanted attention or snide comments from guys was a sign of femininity or worst still your fault for being provocatively dress. But most people who have been harassed on the street already knows this is a farce. Before, every time I was stepping out of my house,I used to check my dressing over to ensure I wasn’t encouraging these disturbing comments and reactions; I became so self conscious until I finally gave up trying to figure out why men could be so crude.
A visit to the market, a walk on the streets and I hear guys whistling- not all guys- and when you don’t return the attention I hear words like. “f**k you,” and “I want to have sex with you,” etc. Some even held me and said, “Hey, I am talking to you,” or a male counterpart calls and says, “That guy is calling you.”
It is really disturbing. I used to respond before with insults but now when I have to walk I just leave my house with my headphones on and ignore comments and glares. This is not a solution, we need the street to be safer!
Do you have any suggestions for dealing with harassers and/or ending street harassment in general?
I told my friend yesterday when we were both held by this man trying to get us to look at his goods that I need to get a pepper spray. Also, people need to be educated, especially in my country, they see street harassment as a normal reaction from male and do not care that we-ladies- are uncomfortable. Our mothers need to talk to their son on how to treat ladie.
We also need more campaigns so it can sink into the community that this is wrong and WE ARE NOT ACCOMMODATING it any longer.
– Mobolaji.F
Location: Nigeria
Share your street harassment story for the blog.
Check out the new book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers!
