Riconoscersi nel gruppo e radicarsi nella comunità
EchoRaffiche
Street harassment is an endemic problem in our society, and when discussed with (male) friends or family, it is often dismissed as a prank. Yet, the same people who brush it off are the ones who insist on walking us home because “it’s not safe.”
Recently, one of the most viral videos on social media was of actress Saoirse Ronan commenting on women’s safety during an episode of The Graham Norton Show. Ronan silenced her male colleagues, who were joking about using a phone as a defense tool.
"This is what girls have to think about all the time. Am I right, ladies?"
The video brings to mind all those times when I’ve returned home with my keys in hand or waited for a message from a friend confirming she has safely arrived home. This leads me to a chat with Martina Ferrara Snider 1, who in recent years has made studying the relationship between gender and mobility her mission.
The clip with Saoirse Ronan has been circulating online. What did you think when you saw it?
My first reaction was irritation. The silence in the studio and the embarrassment of the guests show how difficult it is to admit that this is the daily reality for many women, who face episodes of street harassment. Women constantly have to fight to be believed and to make others understand that this is a deep-rooted issue, the result of behaviors that have been normalized over time.
What do statistics and studies say about street harassment?
Harassment in public spaces, such as on the street or public transportation, differs from other forms of gender violence, like domestic violence. The latter is often perpetrated by acquaintances, friends, or family members, and too often makes headlines as femicides.
Street harassment, on the other hand, is mostly carried out by strangers, and although it is seen as “less severe,” it is often minimized. Imagine being harassed by a stranger on the street who gropes you and then runs off. After the shock, you may want to forget it, but if you choose to report it, what happens? The police, in the best case, will not dismiss you immediately. However, the report will likely end up in a file with similar cases: “Unknown person gropes woman X on street.” If you experience catcalling, it’s often not even considered a crime.
One of the main problems with studying street harassment is the lack of data. A survey by Stop Street Harassment found that 65% of female respondents have experienced street harassment, and the World Bank reports that 80% fear harassment in public spaces. Other studies show that 4 out of 10 women avoid public places where there are no other people. And while cameras may help, they do not solve the problem.
If we were to ask various female friends if they have ever been harassed or felt unsafe on public transportation, most would probably answer yes. But it is possible that some might not even recognize certain behaviors as harassment (for example, if I’m catcalled on the street and feel uncomfortable, should I take it as a compliment?). Have they ever reported it? Here, I fear the proportions would be reversed.
Harassers often target poorly lit or crowded places (especially on public transportation), work in groups, or use a car or motorcycle to quickly escape. These elements make it easier for harassers to get away with their actions; they know they are likely to get away with it, as explained by researchers Hutson and Krueger.
Does urban mobility only relate to safety?
No. Mobility and gender are closely linked, not only in terms of safety but also through the concept of mobility of care, which ties traditionally female caregiving roles to daily mobility.
Additionally, factors such as ethnicity, age, disability, and socio-economic status influence the discrimination women experience in urban mobility. For example, the pink tax. A woman who wants to leave home and has the financial means can use her car or call a taxi, but if she cannot afford this, the alternative is either staying at home or navigating the city with the fear that something might happen. Should a woman have to compromise on her safety or mental health?
All these elements are compounded by the structural issues in how urban mobility is organized. Cities are not designed with women in mind, starting with urban planning. Since the advent of motorized transport, transportation systems have been developed based on men’s commuting needs (for example, from residential areas to factories). Furthermore, gender equality is lacking among transportation employees, especially in managerial positions. This leads to a limited understanding of road safety, which focuses on accidents rather than harassment.
What are the main initiatives for women’s mobility? Are they successful?
Various projects and startups focus on women’s safety, such as apps for location tracking or emergency alerts, and awareness campaigns on public transport. However, these initiatives are often limited both in scope and reach, frequently lacking the funding necessary to expand. Many of them are startups that receive initial investments to support their launch but struggle to continue or grow due to lack of resources.
What projects should we follow to learn more about women’s mobility?
Some important projects include:
- Global Alliance for Feminist Transport: A global forum that connects organizations and individuals working for equitable transportation systems.
- Women Mobilize Women: A network of women actively seeking to transform the mobility sector to make it more diverse.
- Sex and the City: A research project on cities and gender.
- x STRADA + LIBERE: A project in Milan that organizes meetings to discuss women’s safety.
- Viola Walk Home: An app to support women videocalling in real-time when traveling alone.
- DONNEXSTRADA: An association dedicated to street safety and fighting gender-based violence.
- Pink Road: An app for connecting women on the move.
- MezziPerTuttǝ: A campaign in Bologna to combat violence on public transportation.
- Madrid City Campaign: A project that allows users to book bus stops near their homes.
- Stand Up: A training program aimed at preventing street harassment.
- Catcalls of Maastricht: A social media page that highlights the issue of catcalling.
1 Martina Ferrara Snider is a young professional in the field of sustainable urban mobility at ERTICO ITS EUROPE in Brussels. She is a member of the Global Expert Database of the Global Alliance for Feminist Transport and an independent researcher studying public and private sector initiatives aimed at combating street harassment and harassment on public transportation.
Cover image: composition by Sara Orcalli.
Article in Italian: Scrivimi quando arrivi a casa
