Stop Street Harassment

Making Public Spaces Safe and Welcoming

South Africa: SA’s Dirty Laundry

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Nyasha Joyce Mukuwane, Johannesburg, South Africa, SSH Blog Correspondent

sadirtylaundryWith the onset of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence on Nov. 25, some activists are using visual creativity to bring home the facts of rape culture in South Africa.

Rape is a widespread problem. According to a 2013 Medical Research Council (MRC) survey, up to 3,600 people could be raped in the country every day. The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) claims that only one in 13 rape cases are reported to police.  Fewer than 30 cases go through for prosecution and trial  of which only 10 result in a conviction.

Jenny Nijenhuis and Nondumiso Lwazi Msimanga are collaborating in a creative installation of artivism in order to create awareness around rape in South Africa. They are collecting 3,600 pieces of underwear to hang a washing line approximately 1.2 kilometres long displaying the underwear during the 16 Days of Activism.

The preferred route for hanging the installation is from Arts On Main on Berea Road, right into Fox Street and left into Albrecht Street to SoMa´s entrance. This route from Arts On Main to SoMa covers 400m in distance. The goal is to run the washing line down both sides of each of the streets involved, thereby covering a distance of 800m. The balance of the line and installation will continue to the gallery entrance and up into the upstairs gallery area.

Speaking about the installation, Nijenhuis says,

“We wish to curate/choreograph an activation/disruption of the space in and around the gallery for 10 of the 16 Days of Activism whilst the installation is up. The space will thus be used as a point of reflection through works dealing in this subject matter. Nondumiso Msimanga will be working on a performance art piece titled ‘On the Line.’ The performance will display a female at the different developmental stages and rites of passage of becoming a woman, in a cyclical narrative of rituals. We have also posted an open call inviting contributions towards the project from the broadest spectrum of disciplines including (but not limited to) the visual arts, performances (maximum length 15 minutes), interventions, music, dance, talks, poetry, video (maximum length 15 minutes) and theatre.

The point being for artists to show how art, when used for the purpose of socio-political activism, has the power and ability to shift the status quo. Activism aims to promote, impede, or direct social, political, economic, or environmental change – to make societal improvements and to correct social injustice. Through this call, we’re inviting artists to truly observe, reflect and comment on what the rape crisis in SA looks like. We hope to bring this message to people on the street, and not just to the audiences that frequent galleries.”

Installation Dates: 25 November to 4 December 2016
Location: SoMa Art + Space – Streets of the Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg

In order to successfully produce the installation the artists need to collect 3600 panties. Since the project is not for profit, a donations Facebook page has been set up. The panties drive asks anyone prepared to support the project to donate their old and unwanted panties or underpants. These are being collected at various collection points across the country. Donate. | More information on this project.

Nyasha is the public awareness coordinator at the Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the main goal is counselling and sheltering survivors of domestic abuse. She has edited two books by survivors that are available to download for free from the website www.nisaa.org.za.

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We Will Continue Working to Make Public Places Safer for All

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As an organization that works to make public places safer for everyone, we are dismayed at the rhetoric that the president-elect uses when talking about women. We are upset when he suggests that there are people in our country who should be indiscriminately deported, or who should be prevented from entering our country simply because of their religion. We disagree with the language the president-elect uses and policy plans he suggests which divide us and belittle us.

We are outraged that a sexual abuser will be president.

We fear that the disrespect and hate shown by him to large demographics of the population — including immigrants, persons of color, persons with disabilities, LGBQTIA-identified folks, and all women — will be seen by some as tacit approval to harass and assault those demographics with even greater aggression and audacity.

This makes modeling respectful behavior and speaking out against those who harass, discriminate and abuse others more crucial than ever, as is finding and receiving support if it happens to you.

1. Use our national street harassment hotline (run in partnership with RAINN and Defend Yourself) to find 24/7 support in Spanish and English, online and via secure IM chat.

a. Find ideas for dealing with harassers in the book 50 Stories About Stopping Street Harassers.

b. Make a tax-deductible donation so we can serve even more people on the hotline.

2. Share your story of harassment on our blog to raise awareness. On the blog, you can also share stories about how you did something when you witnessed harassment — inspire others to do something, too.

3. Plan to take action during International Anti-Street Harassment Week and help bring local and international attention to the issues. April 2-8, 2017, www.meetusonthestreet.org.

4. If you’re in the Washington, D.C. area and witness or experience harassment on the transit system, you can report it.

WMATA anti-harassment transit campaign

Rest assured, we will continue working to make public spaces more welcoming for all. Join us. Together, we must ensure that justice, equality and love prevail.

The Stop Street Harassment Board of Directors

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“I had to sacrifice my run for these men”

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I was fifteen years old. I was running outside alone on the street in a sports bra, without a shirt on, because it was hot and I have problems running in the heat (even a light tank top makes a difference). I was being stared at by many middle aged men and once I was honked at by what looked like some twenty year old guy in beat up truck. I was appalled because I clearly look like a fifteen year old and he had to be twenty. I ran with my shirt on for the remainder and ran slower so I would not get too hot. I had to sacrifice my run for these men.

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

I have no clue. We now will have a bad role model for president. If Mr. President can “grab people by the pussy” then what is stopping other men?

– SW

Location: Longboat Key, FL

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.

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“He told me I had ‘No where to run.’

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I was walking to school, and when I was nearing the bottom of a hill a construction worker looked at me, smiled, and as I passed he told me I had “No where to run.” This type of thing had never happened to me before,it was the middle of the day. I love walking to school but I don’t know when I’ll be comfortable with it again.

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

Maybe get into the habit of reporting people instead of just letting it go because the persons “a jerk who won’t actually do anything”.

– Anonymous

Location: San Francisco, a block from Lombard Street

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.

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