Press!
We’re in DNA!
The people of Johannesburg march in miniskirts to protest harassment
In Johannesburg, hundreds of South Africans marched in protest of the harassment faced by two women who were physically attacked when standing at a taxi stand, apparently because wearing a miniskirt warrants harassment (it does not!) The harassers taunted them, groped them and took photos of them with their mobile phone cameras. Unfortunately, the harassers have not been arrested. In response to the incident, the African National Congress Women’s League called the march to emphasize that women had the right wear whatever they wanted without fear of victimization. Hundreds of women and men marched in protest, some people wore miniskirts and held placards which read ‘we love our minis’ and ‘I will wear my miniskirt anywhere!’ It really is a global revolution. HOLLA FOR JO’BURG!
Photo by Reuters
B’s Story: “it happens again”
So it happens again. We get felt up. It starts when we are 8. Earlier for some. And it carries on. In the bus. In the train. A stranger in our own house. We stay mum. Then we grow up. And you think it will not happen anymore. But what have we done to make it stop? Today it is your squash coach. Tomorrow, someone else. Is it enough to tell him to back off? Is it enough to quit? Is it enough to complain and have him fired? Well, he’ll just take his shit elsewhere. Instead, why not introduce him to the new rules of squash? Why not tell him what line he is not to cross? When you share this story with someone, they say men are like that! I am responsible for what is happening to my children…
Hollaback Mumbai speaking at Tata Institute of Social Sciences! Come one, come all!
HEY BOMBAY!
We’re speaking at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences tonight on street harassment in India! Come along if you can! We’re talking about myths surrounding harassment, bystander intervention, do’s and don’ts when/if you choose to respond to a harasser. Check out the Facebook event for more information.
Article, and YAY!
HOLLA BOMBAY!
Here’s a great article on language and rape culture in post-colonial Asia by Gender Across Borders.
And because we know that all this talk of sexual violence can be depressing, here is a HollaYAY! Nancy Rojas Pastelín, a woman in Mexico, told her story of harassment on a YouTube video when the local police refused to confront her harasser. The video went viral; Pastelín was contacted by women’s organizations, TV, news and radio networks within and outside of Mexico. The video has been blocked for safety reasons as the legal case against her harasser unfolds, but at last count, the video was watched by 320,000 people. An inspiring story of how technology can be used to demand more from one’s society. You can read more about the case here.
Women and Writing at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
HOLLA BOMBAY!
We wanted to let you know about an amazing event that is happening this evening. Shilpa Phadke, Shilpa Ranade and Sameera Khan, authors of ‘Why Loiter: Women and Risk on Mumbai Streets‘ along with Annie Zaidi, author of ‘The Bad Boys Guide to the Good Indian Girl’ and Amana Fontanella Khan, author of ‘The Pink Sari Revolution‘ will be gathering to “banter about women, writing, and the myriad, occasionally muddled connections between the two.” Author and journalist Namita Devidayal will moderate. They are meeting TODAY at the David Sassoon Gardens in Kala Ghoda from 6-7pm. Go forth! It’s going to be awesome. We did an interview with the writers of ‘Why Loiter’ when the book was published and are sure that this event will be nothing short of incredible.
KM’s Story: HOLLA, KM, thanks for sharing!
My friend works at Dadar and was taking the train back home (goregaon)at about 8 in the evening. Outside the station, a well dressed man came up to her and spoke in fluent English – “Hey Aren’t you Priyanka’s friend?” Now since my friend has a couple of friends named Priyanka (don’t we all?!) She answered “ya.. Who are you?” The guy extended his hand as a normal courteous gesture and so did my friend. Except that he caught her hand in an iron grip and wouldn’t let go!!!! My friend freaked out and somehow managed to yank her hand free and flee… And except for me and another friend, refuses to talk about it to anyone else.. I have come across practically all forms of eve teasing / such freak incidents but this one was new.. I keep thinking about the various things that may have ensued and also how many other females the guy must be trying this on..
Petition! And Press! And something else beginning with P….
HAPPY NEW YEAR, BOMBAY!
Change.org has just sent out a targeted email to its India listserv encouraging people to sign the petition that Hollaback!Mumbai has started in conjunction with Keenan and Reuben’s families. The petition demands justice for the brutal murders of two bright, brave young men and calls for recognition of the prevalence of street harassment in Mumbai and across India. The case hearing has been scheduled for the end of the month and the prosecutor will be Ujjwal Nikam. We are petitioning the Director General of Police as well as the Chief Minister, Home Minister and Governor of Maharashtra. For every signature, an email will be sent directly to their inboxes telling them that they need to ensure that justice is served. If you haven’t signed it yet, please click here to do so, and pass it on to your friends and family as well. In case you need a visual, here is a tribute video to Keenan and Reuben created by their friend, Avinash.
And press! This article publicizes the amazing work that Hollaback!Chennai is doing and talks about the work that HB Mumbai is doing on the Keenan/Reuben case as well as sexual harassment in India and across the world.
Claiming Fun, Not Just Safety in the City….and My Short Skirt
Awesome HT article by our ally Shilpa Phadke on the importance of being able to lay claim to and enjoy a city rather than simply feel safe in it. And an HB Mumbai mention!
And just for kicks, here is the ‘My Short Skirt’ monologue from Eve Ensler’s ‘The Vagina Monologues.’
My short skirt
is not an invitation
a provocation
an indication
that I want it
or give it
or that I hook.
My short skirt
is not begging for it
it does not want you
to rip it off me
or pull it down.
My short skirt
is not a legal reason
for raping me
although it has been before
it will not hold up
in the new court.
My short skirt, believe it or not
has nothing to do with you.
My short skirt
is about discovering
the power of my lower calves
about cool autumn air traveling
up my inner thighs
about allowing everything I see
or pass or feel to live inside.
My short skirt is not proof
that I am stupid
or undecided
or a malleable little girl.
My short skirt is my defiance
I will not let you make me afraid
My short skirt is not showing off
this is who I am
before you made me cover it
or tone it down.
Get used to it.
My short skirt is happiness
I can feel myself on the ground.
I am here. I am hot.
My short skirt is a liberation
flag in the women’s army
I declare these streets, any streets
my vagina’s country.
My short skirt
is turquoise water
with swimming colored fish
a summer festival
in the starry dark
a bird calling
a train arriving in a foreign town
my short skirt is a wild spin
a full breath
a tango dip
my short skirt is
initiation
appreciation
excitation.
But mainly my short skirt
and everything under it
is Mine.
Mine.
Mine.
X’s Story: “I wish it was boring, but it’s still scary.” Power to you for sharing your story, X, and for working to build a world where sexual harassment does not exist
I feel like i should be bored of street harassment. I should be used to it. i should be able to brush it off. after all, i have been experiencing harassment since i was 12. i am 27 now, but i am far from bored. whether it’s being stared at by the watchmen outside my building or being groped on the train, it’s always scary, it always makes me angry. i don’t have a story for hollaback because i have too many stories and they are all one big blur of rage and feeling like i don’t have the right to be at the movies/in a maidan/on the beach. i just needed to say this – that i’m not used to it, that i’m not ‘over’ it, that i’m not bored.