Background of Topic:
Street harassment, or sexual harassment in public spaces, occurs when people are targeted or discriminated against based on their identity, which includes gender, race, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation, according to Stop Street Harassment.
Street harassment is a human rights issue because it limits women’s ability to be in public as often or as comfortably as most men. Read the United Nations’ stance on the issue.
In March 2013, for the first time, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women included several clauses about sexual harassment in public spaces in its Agreed Conclusions, showing a shift in how this issue is viewed and its level of importance.
Ideas for the Day:
- Become active in your local government. See if your city has taken measures to curb street harassment such as improving lighting and training more police officers.
- Mark your calendar. International Anti-Street Harassment Week, a program of Stop Street Harassment, is 12-18 April. Learn how you can participate.
- Join NGO Hollaback! in their movement to end street harassment around the world by following these crucial steps.
- Take some time to read through the “Know Your Rights” guide written by Hollaback! and the Thomas Reuters Foundation to learn the legal definitions and information on all forms of street harassment across 22 countries.
- Is street harassment prevalent in your community? Share your thoughts on the Zonta Says NO to Violence Against Women Facebook page.
Hashtag: #ZontaSaysNo #16 Days #Hollaback! #StopStreetHarassment
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