The Unthinkable

Action Against Sexism by Auntie:

I was discussing with my 17-year old nephew his plans for the future, namely his wishes to study management and to work abroad. He also mentioned his desire to marry a woman from his community. I asked him what he would do if his wife didn’t share his dream to live abroad. He jokingly replied: “well, she will be under my control, so…”.

Then I asked him what he would do if he was offered a nice work opportunity in Singapore, while his wife was offered a nicer opportunity, with a better salary, in Washington: who would be “in control” then, and who would adjust to the other one?

He admitted he didn’t have an answer. I guess he still has few years more to think about it!

Groping Licence Revoked

Action Against Sexism by Stranger in Delhi:

I live in Delhi and always hire taxis from the same taxi stand in my locality. This morning the driver was new and greeted me warmly. He soon turned out to be a bloody molester. While pretending to entertain me with a friendly chat and an English speaking radio program, he proceeded to grope my arm, my lap and my breast.

He was also rude to his wife over the phone, probably assuming I don’t understand Hindi. There was an uncomfortable contrast between the casual conversation he was trying to maintain with me in English and the latent violence of his speech to his wife in Hindi.

When I became sure that his groping attempts were intentional, I firmly demanded that he should stop. He first pretended not to understand what I meant, expecting that I would be too embarrassed to develop. He got a straightforward answer in Hinglish: Don’t harass me sexually. I’m a woman, I want respect.

Ironically, the radio was airing a program about women’s safety in the city, with live testimonies. I told him to put louder and to listen.

He apologized, called me his “sister” and stopped misbehaving.

Later he asked for a tip. Did he think his penance deserved a reward? It didn’t: respecting me a as a human being is normal, and is not a favour for which I should express gratitude. So I refused.

This manipulative attitude reveals that this guy must be used to assaulting / objectifying / abusing women, as long as he doesn’t meet resistance. So I also reported the matter to his boss and advised him not to send him with female clients anymore.

That’s How Things Are Gonna Work

Action Against Sexism by Feminist India:

Got cat-called by two guys on the road and they got called assholes. Yes, that’s how things are gonna work from now on, boys. And men who stand by and look at women being cat-called, SHAME ON YOU.

Street Harassment Backfired

Action Against Sexism by Sosso:

Once upon a day, I was walking on the street normally dressed (should I even notice that ?!!). A man was standing some meters toward me, I could feel already his eyes on me, so I felt embarrassed. When I passed in front of him “you are such a charming lady, waow !” with his looking from up to down. I was ready, I stopped “no, I don’t accept that” (with a smile). He was so happy “come on if you stop, you like !“. I said “no it’s a lack of respect, imagine me when you walk watching your ass or boobs (because he had some) and whistling you ! You wouldn’t feel respected“… “It’s not same, you’re a woman“.. “Exactly, imagine I did that to you EVERY DAY !!!” And walked !

Sabotaging Rape Culture

Action Against Sexism by Diké:

A distant relative of my husband was our guest for a while. He once lectured my teenage daughter who loves fashion: “Say two girls are walking in the street, one wearing a traditional outfit, the other American jeans. Which one do you think will get raped first?”

Brilliant demonstration. Too bad I heard.

So I shouted back: “First, a woman doesn’t get raped, she is raped. Second, wearing traditional clothes doesn’t protect women from rapists and violent men. Third, don’t you dare to tell my kid that if one day she was victim of a crime, she should feel guilty about it!”.

I’m not sure he got the point, but my daughter did.

I’m not a “Supplement” to a Man

Action Against Sexism by Ann Webster:

I run my own business: a previous client told me how nice it was that I had a ‘little job’ to supplement husband’s income. I was the sole earner at the time and had been for over 18 months, so I told him that. He looked confused (his partner stays at home, unable to drive and completely dependent on him) but I think he got the message.

Welcome to Occupy Sexism!

This page is dedicated to girls and women determined to reclaim their rights and space.

We all have to deal on a daily basis with sexism, be it misogynist sarcasm, rape culture, social control, gender discrimination, sexual and mental harassment, hate crimes against women. We are the target or the witness. Or just a collateral damage.

We were taught that these are non-significant incidents, accidental encounters, harmless jokes. Or that it was our fault. That we should accept it. As if being subjected to misogyny was just part of being a woman.

We should not attempt to curb male violence, not even name it. But…

This is Operation Occupy Sexism. We are Women. We are 3 billions. We do not comply. We do not tolerate sexism. Expect us.

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