No one should feel unsafe in their neighborhood, their local store or on a bus, but this is how countless people worldwide feel because of gender-based street harassment. This global problem is too often a hidden problem…. but by collectively speaking out against street harassment, we are making it visible.
From March 30 – April 5, Stop Street Harassment is organizing the fourth annual International Anti-Street Harassment Week and already more than 80 groups in 19 countries have signed on to participate.
This is a time for people worldwide to collectively raise our voices — both online and offline — to share our stories, bring attention to the issue of street harassment, and work toward safer public spaces for all.
Together we can let people affected by street harassment know it’s not their fault and they’re not alone. We can inform communities that this is a problem that we all need to care about and address.
During the week, groups, campuses, organizations and people around the world do something to raise awareness about street harassment, be it sharing a story with a friend, organizing or attending an event, or posting information on social media.
Here are 13 ideas. And, new this year –
As part of International Anti-Street Harassment Week, Stop Telling Women to Smile (STWTS) is organizing an international wheat pasting night on April 4th, 2014. Individuals and organizations around the world can download and print STWTS posters, starting March 24 from stoptellingwomentosmile.com. The goal is that on April 5th, walls across the world will bear the faces and words from women protesting street harassment. No matter what else you plan that week, STWTS and SSH hope you can participate…and send in photos!
2. Flyers, Factsheets & Shareable Images:
Check out the images and flyers on the website that you can share online and at events.
Are you in the USA? Use the Stop Street Harassment toolkit Know Your Rights: Street Harassment and the Law and share your state’s laws!
3. Co-Sponsor:
If your group has not yet confirmed with me your participation, please do so (hkearl @ stopstreetharassment.org)! I will add you to the list.
4. Events:
If you’re planning an event, please send me the date/time/place and the activity that will happen and I will add it to the the website. If you have an events page you want me to link to, please also send it.
5. Tweet Chats:
There are four confirmed Tweet Chats for the week! Hope you can participate in at least one! Use #EndSHWeek
Monday, March 30, 1 p.m. EDT, four women of color will co-host a discussion about street harassment and race, @NualaCabral, @ZerlinaMaxwell, @RaquelReichard, @Besito86
Tuesday, April 1, 2 p.m. EDT, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, @NSVRC, will host a chat about street harassment & sexual violence as well as community activism.
Wednesday, April 2, 12 p.m. EDT, @EverydayFeminism and @Fem2Pt0 will co-lead a discussion about how street harassment connects with broader issues of sexism and homophobia.
Thursday, April 3, 5 p.m. IST/7.30 p.m. MYT, @PixelProject and @Bell_Bajao will co-host a conversation about harassment on public transportation.
6. Need inspiration?
View photos from our actions in 2013. Read the 2013 report about what happened last year.
Join us, speak out, make a difference!!
