I’m wearing a dress today. Which for one means, I can’t walk
past the construction site at the back, or even outside for that matter. What
has our society become that we, women, have to constantly have our guards up
against “compliments”, especially when they are delivered with a creepy leer?
And then when we don’t respond are labelled rude and
ungrateful? UNGRATEFUL?!?! Really?!
A few journalists and other activists have recently
conducted experiments on the streets of the world to see how women are treated
by onlookers, the results are disgusting.
As a society we need to stop teaching girls to protect
themselves and rather teach boys respect and how to behave. Sure it’s not
always gender based (see What Street Harassment Would Be Like For Men by Jessica Bell
)
Much like the chicken probably hates his motives being
questioned every time he crosses the road, I too hate having to walk any street
in South Africa. Let’s hope the 16 Days of Activism heightens awareness for the
various types of harassment above and beyond the campaign against abuse of
women & children.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t exchange pleasantries, but
unwanted attention is not a compliment. And overbearingness is quite frankly
ridiculous. “Hello” is not an invitation for anyone to feel entitled to
anything.
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