Harassment is an increasingly alarming issue in Egypt; we’re trying to bring everyone’s attention to how bad it has become lately. Women should never feel ashamed or keep quiet if they’re subjected to either verbal or physical harassment; it’s simply unacceptable.
We asked multiple women from different age groups about their experiences with harassment on the street and how they dealt with it. Most answers were almost identical, here’s what they had to say:
“I always get physically harassed on the bus but I’m too scared to react, so I let my harassers get away with it because I believe more would join if I scream”
“The worst are the school kids; they always try to tease each other by comparing who’s COOLER”
“Whenever I get verbally harassed, I always turn around, shout at the top of my lungs and make a huge scene”
“I almost got raped because I wouldn’t scream or shout, but now I started beating them up if they came anywhere near me”
“People would chase me with their car and keep closing in on me to check out what I’m wearing, what is wrong with them?!”
It is no laughing matter; we all have to feel safe, if not in our own country then where?
I think we should all take a united stand against harassment; here are some tips on how to avoid harassment and how to deal with harassers:
* Always carry pepper spray or a Taser.
* Don’t let them come anywhere near you or touch you, show them hell.
* Enroll in a self-defense class.
* Learn how to avoid getting grabbed or touched by harassers, fight back and teach them a lesson.
* Avoid big crowds. It’s always easier to attack in big crowds.
* Always make a scene. Most of them are cowards; they get scared if you make a scene.
