Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

We Chalk Walk!

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Via the new Hollaback! Brussels Tumblr We Chalk Walk:

“On March 25, 2012, Hollaback! Brussels pre-launched with a Chalk Walk.

We were only 4 then. We were strangers to each other. And Hollaback! brought us together.

We decided that if we were gonna go for this adventure, we had to get rid of all the breaks and do some sort of initiation together.

We each wrote down a story about the street harassment we experienced, mapped it and then went back to the place where it had happened, to reclaim the spot with chalk in our hands.

We called it a ‘Chalk Walk’ and it did something to us. It gave us an energy, a new strength. Doing this action, eliminated certain fears brought on by years of experiencing street harassment, it felt like we were reclaiming a freedom we imagined we had lost.

And then we thought, EVERYONE should experience this…

This March 2013, we’re letting the Chalk Walk loose upon the world! Let’s use this tumblr to connect, to show we have each other’s back with our chalk messages from around the world…..

Your Hollaback! Brussels team: Ingrid, Jo, Anna, Quentin, Julie & Angelika.“

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New PSA: “Make a Woman Smile”

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 Watch a new PSA called “Make a Woman Smile,” by Temple University student Kara Lieff.

SSH: I know you created another PSA for a college class, was this PSA for a class too?

Kara Lieff (KL): Yes, this was also for a class project at Temple University.  This PSA was made to fulfill a project requirement to use a form of filming called the Steadicam, so the class requirement part just relates to the style of filming.  I hope to make more outside of class in the near future.

SSH: Was there a particular incident that inspired your PSA?

KL: There isn’t a specific incident that caused me to make this PSA, but I have seen more and more people speaking out (through online articles I’ve read, clothing designs, and art) about this specific problem of women being expected to smile.  I wanted to contribute to this conversation, so I made this PSA to express my opinion that women shouldn’t need to smile for a stranger’s benefit or because women are expected to be pleasant at all times.  I hope to address a variety of specific street harassment issues with future PSAs.

SSH: Thanks!

Watch more of Kara’s work here.

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On March 8, #RingTheBell

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Our allies in Delhi, India, at Breakthrough invite you to take action one week from today! Sign up today.

“Be a part of the launch of Breakthrough’s campaign to #RingTheBell. Stand up against violence: ring the bell & ring it loud.

IT’S TIME TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

This International Women’s Day, Breakthrough is calling on men and boys around the world to take a stand against violence by making a concrete promise to act to end it.

With men as leaders and partners, we can build a world in which women are safe — and in which all of us live freely, fully, and without fear. One action adds up to one million; one million add up to change.

JOIN US from wherever you are on the 8th of March 2013 as Breakthrough launches Ring The Bell, with the world’s first ever Social Media Storm. From 6 PM to 9 PM we’re going to be talking, tweeting, texting and facebooking about the issues around the safety of women and girls, how we are responsible for them, and what we can do to end this.

Believe in making a difference. Make a promise and be a part of the change. Tell us how you plan to #ringthebell.

Tweet your promises @bell_bajao with the tag #RingTheBell
Post a promise to Facebook
Email your promise to ipromise@breakthrough.tv
Support our shared vision of a safer world for all.

Be a part of the storm on the 8th of March. #Ringthebell and ring it loud.”

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