Women the world over for some reason have to deal with being handed the short end of the stick once conversations surrounding what is rightfully due to them comes up. The classical name-calling tactics are deployed almost immediately to crack down on voices that appear loud and unwilling to bend, and when that fails physical intimidation is the next best bet to silence such voices. Women shouldn’t have to fight this hard to be accorded common decency and acknowledgment at the very least. As women continue to fight for a seat at the table every day, they continuously have to work twice as hard, lest they will be handing the “women can’t be leaders” brigade more ammunition. For women to shine and give off their best they need safe spaces. An environment they can feel physically and emotionally secure. One devoid of bodily harm, especially sexual assault or intimidation.
Threats to the safety of women abound and very little has been done as a society to correct this unfortunate circumstance. Women constantly have to stay safety conscious around strangers when simply boarding a bus, accessing a restroom, hitching a ride or generally spending time around not so familiar faces. It is sad they are sometimes only accorded some respect because of a male company. Some women narrate how often they have to fake a phone call when walking past a gathering of men just so they can handle the lustful eyes on their body. Interestingly, all these do very little to stop the cat calls. You get labeled the “P” word if you respond in any manner or form they deem unsatisfactory.
There is an urgent need to crack down on such aberrant behaviors by the looks of it. Women shouldn’t have to look over their shoulders when all they want to do is simply go about their day. This is the reason sensitization is key in the fight. Women should be armed with the requisite knowledge to help them detect potentially troubling situations. Knowledge on such matters also enables them to correct inappropriate behaviors by male colleagues and friends, and to call them out when such behaviors continue.
The ENOUGH! project is one of such projects that deserves commendation for the concept on the whole. The project works side by side with local agencies to strengthen their capacities and also challenge harmful social norms and practices. This project would help interrupt the culture of silence that enable such harmful behaviors towards women to thrive. It is about time women get empowered enough to spot and call out predatory behaviors.
The ENOUGH project is the way to go.
