Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi, my name is Nati, I'm 21 years old and from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I'm a law student in the UBA. From the year 2015 I started to fight for the feminist movement. The mobilization of the "ni una menos" changed my life and made me understand many injustices. Then came the fight for legal abortion. I currently sing and write and consider myself a political activist.
When did you start your account?
I started the account in 2020 with my boyfriend. He met Sophie in New York and we thought it was a good idea to start with @catcallsofbsas as there was nothing like it.
Why were you inspired to start an account?
Street harassment is very common and I live it every day of my life, from the time I leave my house until I return. I also hear how other women suffer and no one does anything about it. We believe that this needs to change in the city of Buenos Aires. On the one hand, we think that public policies with a gender perspective are necessary for harassment to stop. On the other hand, it is necessary to make the problem visible so that there are real changes. So that it isn't naturalized"
Why do you think “chalking back” is a good method to raise awareness?
We believe that this is something you can see every day: when you leave work, when you leave school, when you go for a walk, etc. It's a message that can make an impact the first time you read it, especially for those of us who have experienced street harassment first-hand. You don't walk around the same way after reading the message and it stays until it's deleted or someone else deletes it. Definitely the visual generates more impact than hearing it.
Why do you think ending street harassment is important?
I think it's important because we're used to hearing it, it's part of our everyday life. We have so much street harassment built into our culture, that we naturalize it and pretend it doesn't exist. Honestly, I got tired of seeing women crying about this, getting into their homes in fear because of this. Street harassment is another type of violence but society generally does not see it that way. Man think it's okay to do it, that it's a way to conquer. This violence must end so that all violence against women begins to get questioned
What’s your favorite thing about your city?
My favorite thing is definitely the cafes in Buenos Aires. To be able to sit and read a book at a table in the street. It would be better if you could enjoy this without being bothered with harassment every time a bike, van or bicycle stops by.
How can your city better address street harassment?
I think it is necessary for the State to address the issue. Mostly in schools. The correct implementation of ESI (comprehensive sex education) is very important so that future generations will begin to question this violence. Girls must grow up in a world where street harassment is eliminated, but that requires public policies that change education.
What do you hope is the outcome of your account?
I hope that every time someone reads a publication on the account they wonder if they ever lived it or said something like that to a woman. The real revolution in this century is the questioning, and questioning this kind of violence is very important for feminism. I also hope that it will help many women to vent about horrible situations they have experienced
What’s the most difficult street harassment situation you’ve experienced?
When I was 14 years old a car with a man inside stopped right beside me, lower its window and said he wanted to touch me and asked me if I wanted to get in. I ran away while crying my eyes out. I thought he was following me and I've been going out in fear ever since.
What does being a part of this campaign mean to you?
Street harassment is a worldwide problem, and the more people join this call the more visible it becomes. I think it's important that the world is united in this cause. On the other hand, we will never again be silenced, never again turn a deaf ear to the injustices experienced against women. Feminism is the future. The future must be feminist.
Коментарі