The pouring rain didn’t stop hundreds of citizens from gathering to raise their voices against sexual harassment in public spaces, as part of the #TakeBackTheNight campaign organized by FamACT, a KWN-supported initiative. Women and men united to symbolically mark the beginng of the fight against sexual harassment in public spaces.
On 22 Nov., the Feminist Forum FemACT initiated a debate in social media as part of the campaign #TakeBackTheNight(#NataËshtëEJona)
which involved statements about women’s right to enter public spaces without harassment.
Each day messages were posted on their Facebook statuses by dozens of women and men until the march took place on 29 Nov.
The campaign triggered different reactions: positive and negative. The unification and mobilizing of women and girls, men and boys, regardless of their age and profession, was inspiring for those who supported the #TakeBackTheNight campaign.
“Bravo for taking this much needed initiative” said one supporter, “congratulations on being brave enough to initiate this discussion, and thank you for motivating us so much. I loved the idea and wish you all the best in your future endeavors related to combating sexual harassment”- she added
The campaign also involved a video filmed with a hidden camera that shows a woman being harassed by different men 50 times during a single day while walking in Prishtina. This video was screened after the march and in three days has received more than 83,400 views on YouTube. To see the video, click here.
“We cannot expect to have a just and safe society for all, when we think it is ok that half of the population feel unsafe in our public spaces” – added a supporter of the campaign “No one should be afraid to walk around the city by themselves, it is common sense to support this campaign” – he added.
KWN will continue to organize and support initiatives against sexual violence in public spaces.
“Bravo for taking this much needed initiative” said one supporter, “congratulations on being brave enough to initiate this discussion, and thank you for motivating us so much. I loved the idea and wish you all the best in your future endeavors related to combating sexual harassment”- she added
The campaign also involved a video filmed with a hidden camera that shows a woman being harassed by different men 50 times during a single day while walking in Prishtina. This video was screened after the march and in three days has received more than 83,400 views on YouTube. To see the video, click here.
“We cannot expect to have a just and safe society for all, when we think it is ok that half of the population feel unsafe in our public spaces” – added a supporter of the campaign “No one should be afraid to walk around the city by themselves, it is common sense to support this campaign” – he added.
KWN will continue to organize and support initiatives against sexual violence in public spaces.
