I haven’t always comprehended the inherent dangers of being born female. I’ve so far lived a pretty normal, uneventful 60 years just like millions of other women. But then I look back to the time (and these are just a few):
Teens
- when I was surrounded in the public pool at a school swimming event by a group of boys from another school stopping me from leaving the water until my friends saw and ‘rescued’ me.
- when I was followed home from the bus stop by a stranger
Twenties
- when I realised the unwanted attention from the creep on the train was actually sexual assault
- when I was grabbed by the arm in the street by a stranger in a suit who recognised my insurance company uniform and mocked me as I pulled away.
- Running from the train station to the taxi rank late at night after being harassed by a group or drunks and praying to God there was a cab there.
Thirties
- when a man undid his pants and tried to open my car door as I was leaving the car park after work.
- Always carrying my car key in my hand while walking to my car.
And now, as a mother of a daughter I see her anger and hear her stories about her own experiences and I WANT TO SCRATCH THE EYES OUT OF ALL THOSE MEN WHO FEEL ENTITLED TO US.
Because we are female.
