You are here
Note for Equality: Sexual harassment in public spaces: the city in debt with the rights of women
The entrance of women into public spaces has been an advance in their autonomy, although their movements are lived unequally. Besides the fear of theft and assault, women experience the fear of rape and kidnapping and are exposed to a daily form of violence that is expressed through words, noises, phrases that undermine them, brushes or body contact and physical abuse that have specific negative effects to living safely on the street. This type of sexual violence has been confronted by diverse social organizations in the countries of the region, which has raised the awareness on one of the most minimized and naturalized forms of violence against women, one that affects their right to security, limits their use of public space and prevents them from attaining autonomy.