That Saturday changed the feelings i had towards men. And i can remember what i said the day i was harassed, i said, “I hope it becomes a criminal offense to harass girls”.

First of all let me just say this, “in a country/society that profits from your self doubt, loving yourself is a rebellious act,” i am a rebel…i was raised in a country that made me feel like my gender is a burden, by condoning all sorts of assault against girls. I decided to go to the market on a Saturday to buy things for school.. A man walked up to me, he said,”Orobo how are you?”

“Orobo is a term for girls that wear size 14-16.” i didn’t say anything. The next thing he did was to start pulling me back, staring at my breasts, then talking about how big they looked. He even said it looked like the soft type. I struggled hard before i was able to pull my hands out of his palm…

What if i am a girl? I felt worthless and i remember crying myself to sleep that night because when i got home, i told my neighbors about it and there were like,”Dress better next time.”

Really? Since when did a girl need to be modest to be respected? I was well dressed that day, i dressed the way the society expected me to. Please, harassment against women is horrible, i know because i’ve experienced firsthand what it feels like. I could go on and on about my experience about it, but i would have to write a whole book.

Any form of harassment against any girl in Australia or Kenya is an attack against me and all the girls in the whole wide world. Saynotobodyshaming Saynotoharassment Now i know my gender is not a burden, as a matter of fact, it’s the reason i thrive.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

Let’s start with creating sign boards in public places warning against harassment: “Harassment is bad is bad is bad”

– Moyo

Location: Mainland/Lagos state/ Nigeria/ market

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.

When I turned 16 I was very excited to go out and get a job of my own. I went to the downtown area of my city, going from place to place asking for job applications. I was waiting for the light in the crosswalk to change, and a car pulls up at the red light next to me. The guys in the car rolled down their windows and shouted at me, “Hey baby, how’s it hanging!” and they continued to whistle and jeer at me until their light changed. I ignored them, but I knew from how hot my face felt that it was turning a beet red. In a little city that is typically so liberal and very accepting, I didn’t expect it. It baffles me that guys maybe 4 or 5 years, or maybe even more, would shout like that at a teenage girl. Or any woman for that matter. I think back on it now and again and I wonder what possessed them to do that. I just hope my sisters and friends haven’t or won’t ever experience the same, whether it’s to a lesser degree like my own experience, or if it’s something greater.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

Support each other. Call out the person if you see harassment.

– Gwen H.

Location: Main Street, Royal Oak, MI

Need support? Call the toll-free National Street Harassment hotline: 855-897-5910

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for ideas.