Hollaback! →
This needs to exist in Peru. Female volunteers deal with an unparalleled amount of harassment - catcalls, passing whispers, constant and persistent requests for dates. It’s infuriating. It increase our anxiety and makes us question why we’re here. And as much as I try to “let it go” every time it happens, more often than not, I get pissed. Seriously, who teaches these guys to be so creepy? And that it’s acceptable? I am blown away by how often I deal with men whispering things to me as I walk by, saying something disgusting just loud enough for me to hear, and thereby maximizing creepiness and the dirtiness I end up feeling. They get nothing out of it but leave me feeling furious and helpless and violated - possibly one of the worst combinations of feelings.
It is an unfortunate fact that so many female volunteers must deal with this so often. It often dampers our enthusiasm and dissolves our passion for work.
