The Band U2 has a great song I like called, Where The Streets Have No Name (watch the video clip). But every street has a name that I know as safety. It was this realisation I had as the first loss of male privilege that I encountered, my safety. I have re-written this article, originally published in 2020, with Chat GPT as my way to put my thoughts into words to this very sad story about the murder of Brianna Ghey, a 16 year old girl. Rest in Peace Brianna.
U2's iconic song "Where the Streets Have No Name" talks about the desire for freedom, equality, and anonymity that many of us crave. However, this desire is often intertwined with a fundamental need for safety for women. While men may be able to wander the streets of a new city without fear of harassment or assault, women often have to take extra precautions to ensure their safety.
As a transgender woman, I have always been acutely aware of the dangers that lurk on the streets. But, when I began transitioning, I felt a sense of vulnerability that I had never experienced before. It wasn't just about the stares and the snickers; it was the real threat of violence that hung in the air like a storm cloud.
Women's safety is an issue that affects women of all ages, races, and backgrounds. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the prevalence of gender-based violence, harassment, and discrimination, as well as a recognition of the fact that women often feel unsafe in public spaces. This has led to various initiatives and campaigns to promote women's safety, from self-defence classes to public awareness campaigns.
However, despite these efforts, all women still face many obstacles regarding feeling safe in public. One of the main challenges is the prevalence of gender-based violence. According to the World Health Organization, one in three women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. This means that women are often forced to navigate public spaces with the constant fear of being attacked or harassed.
“I watch who gets in an elevator and will wait to take another if the lone male in an elevator makes me feel uneasy.”
– Cynthia Fortlage.
To address these challenges, several things can be done to promote women's safety. The first step is raising awareness of the issue and encouraging women to speak about their experiences. By sharing their stories, women can help to break down the stigma surrounding gender-based violence and can help to create a culture of accountability.
Another critical step is to improve public spaces to make them safer for women. This can include installing better lighting in parks and parking lots and providing safe and clean public restrooms. It can also mean increasing police presence in areas where women are more likely to be targeted for violence.
But we cannot continue to live like this. We cannot continue to accept that our safety is a luxury we cannot afford. We cannot allow the streets to be where our names are forgotten, and our lives are in constant danger.
So let us all work together to create a world where the streets have no name, and we can walk with our heads held high and hearts full of hope. Let us demand safety for all women and fight for a better future for all of us.
Finally, it is crucial to educate men and boys about the importance of respecting women and promoting gender equality. This can be done through school programs, public awareness campaigns, and community initiatives.
Ultimately, the goal should be to create a world where all women can feel safe and free to roam the streets without fear of harassment or assault. This is not just a women's issue but a human rights issue that affects us all. By working together to create safe and inclusive communities, we can help to build a world where the streets have no name – and where women can feel safe and free to be themselves.
If you need help educating others, contact me today.
#Acceptancewithoutunderstanding #speaker #consultant #gender #women #lgbtqia #transgender #humanrights #diversity #belonging #privilege #psychologicalsafety #genderdiversity #genderequality #genderequity