• RIGHT TO SAFETY IN PUBLIC SPACES

  • In the US, 65% of surveyed women and girls had experienced street harassment.

  • 97% of women and girls in the UK have experienced some form of sexual harassment.

  • 79% in India and 99% in Egypt have experienced some form of sexual harassment.

The Impact of Harassment in Public Spaces

Girls have the right to safety in public spaces without unwanted attention from men and boys. This type of sexual harassment is a form of gender-based violence.

Harassment in public spaces happens on streets, in and around public transportation, schools, workplaces, public toilets, water and food distribution sites, and parks. This type of harassment is a pervasive issue that affects women and girls globally, violating their rights to safety, equality, and dignity. Forms of harassment can include:

  • Verbal harassment: This includes catcalling, whistling, name-calling, making sexually explicit comments, or making offensive or derogatory remarks about someone's gender, sexual orientation, or identity.

  • Stalking: When someone follows a person in a way that is threatening or makes them feel unsafe. This includes following or monitoring someone without their consent or knowledge.

  • Physical harassment: This can include unwanted touching, groping, or sexual assault.

  • Intimidation: This can include leering, making threatening gestures or sounds, or displaying weapons, locking someone's path.

This type of harassment can reinforce gender-based violence and discrimination, perpetuating harmful gender norms and a culture of violence against girls. The ripple effect on society, hinders progress towards gender equality and girl's empowerment.

How Does Street Harassment affect Girls’ Human Rights?

  • RIGHT TO DIGNITY & PRIVACY

    It can cause emotional distress and humiliation, infringing on girls' rights to dignity and privacy.

  • RIGHT TO EDUCATION

    Street harassment can affect girls' access to education if they feel unsafe traveling to and from school or if they are harassed while at school.

  • RIGHT TO SECURITY

    Street harassment can create an environment of fear and insecurity for girls, affecting their freedom of movement and making them feel unsafe in public spaces.

  • RIGHT TO WORK

    It limits girls' employment opportunities by creating an unsafe environment for them to work or travel to and from work.

  • RIGHT TO HEALTH

    The stress and fear caused by street harassment can have negative impacts on girls' mental and physical health, potentially leading to anxiety, depression, and other health issues.

  • RIGHT TO EQUALITY & NON-DISCRIMINATION

    Street harassment often targets girls based on their gender, contributing to gender inequality and perpetuating stereotypes about girls' roles in society.

  • RIGHT TO FREEDOM FROM CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT

    Harassment can be psychologically damaging and cause emotional trauma, which may be considered cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment under international human rights law.

  • RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN CULTURAL, SOCIAL & POLITICAL LIFE

    Street harassment can discourage girls from engaging in social, cultural, and political activities due to fear of harassment or judgment.

What Are the Barriers to Making Public Spaces Safe?

Some common barriers to addressing street harassment include:

  • Victim blaming - Victims of harassment are often blamed for the harassment, with others suggesting that they must have done something to provoke it. This can make it difficult for victims to come forward and report their experiences.

  • Normalisation of harassment - Harassment in public places is often normalised or accepted as a part of everyday life, making it difficult to identify it as a problem that needs to be addressed.

  • Lack of awareness - Many people are not aware of the extent or impact of harassment in public places, which can make it difficult to build support for efforts to address it.

  • Lack of legal protections - In many places, there are few legal protections in place to address harassment in public places, which can make it difficult for victims to seek justice.

  • Lack of reporting mechanisms - There may be few or no mechanisms in place for victims to report this types of harassment, making it difficult to document the scope of the problem & to develop effective solutions.

  • Fear of retaliation - Victims of harassment may fear retaliation if they speak out, which can make it difficult to address the problem.

  • Intersectional barriers - Harassment can disproportionately impact individuals from marginalized communities, eg. people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. They may face additional barriers to reporting, such as fear of discrimination or lack of trust in law enforcement or other institutions.

The International Legal Framework

  • Human rights instruments

    International law does not specifically address street harassment of girls, but it does provide a framework for understanding and addressing such behavior. Street harassment can be considered a form of gender-based violence, which violates several human rights recognised under international law. States have an obligation to address gender-based violence, including street harassment, through implementing policies, laws, and programs that protect the rights and well-being of girls.

  • The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

    This treaty obliges states to take measures to end discrimination against women and girls in all areas of life. It covers violence against women and girls, including street harassment, as a form of discrimination.

  • The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

    This treaty outlines the rights of children and obliges states to protect children from all forms of violence, abuse, and exploitation.

  • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

    This treaty, adopted in 1966, includes provisions that protect individuals from gender-based violence, such as Article 7 (prohibiting cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment) and Article 26 (guaranteeing equal protection under the law).

  • The International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

    This treaty contains provisions on the right to work, education, & health, which can be impacted by street harassment.

  • Environmental law principles

    These principles seek to ensure that those responsible for causing environmental harm are held accountable and that the interests of future generations are considered in environmental decision-making. Ensuring that climate policies and measures are equitable, inclusive, and respect human rights requires ongoing efforts at the national, regional, and international levels.

How Can Girls Advocate for the Right to Education?

  • Share experiences and information about street harassment and its impact on girls' lives.

  • Organize or participate in workshops, seminars, or discussions in schools, community centers, or other public spaces to educate people about street harassment and its consequences.

  • Join or support local, national, or international campaigns that work to end street harassment.

  • Use social media platforms to raise awareness, share stories, and engage with others on this topic.

  • Contact local representatives or government officials to advocate for policies that protect girls from street harassment, such as implementing anti-harassment laws or creating safe public spaces.

  • Educate others about the importance of bystander intervention and how to safely intervene when witnessing street harassment. Encourage people to speak up and support those who experience harassment.

  • Partner with community groups to address street harassment and create safer environments for girls.

  • Create or distribute educational materials, such as posters, flyers, or videos, to inform the public about street harassment and its impact on girls' rights

  • Encourage girls to learn self-defense techniques and develop confidence in their ability to protect themselves in case of harassment.