Reality plug A recent informal coffee meeting with a male colleague who also works in international development turned into a candid and difficult conversation. The topic was about the sexual harassment scandals in the development and humanitarian aid sector that have been the subject of much news and conversation over the last few months. I…
This is the second piece in our series on workplace sexual harassment this week.
This week AfricanFeminism (AF) is running three series pieces on workplace sexual harassment, documenting and sharing the perspectives of other African women.
Women all around the world are highly disadvantaged in accessing opportunities. Low economic development of countries, deeply-rooted ‘harmful’ societal attitudes and intertwined religious and cultural values however, make African women susceptible to peculiar challenges. On the other hand, there are many African values, cultures and institutions that recognize the fundamental role women play and recognize…
Yesterday, after working out at the gym, I decided to head to the mall to get a few things. Walking down the pastry aisle, I noticed two men staring at me. To get them to snap out of it, I asked them if I looked familiar. Shocked by being questioned for their stupidity one of…
The final piece in the African Women in Development series by our very own AF writer Rosebell Kagumire who has spearheaded this series. The AF pan-African feminist family is grateful to Rosebell for initiating these much needed reflections and the discussions that will ensue. We hope these reflections encourage more African women to speak up…
Our second piece from women in development. Read the introduction here and the first reflection here.
This is the 1st piece in one of three reflection pieces from African women in the development sector. Read the introduction to the series here. A few years ago, I had a conversation with some colleagues, who happened to be white men. The topic was about whether safe spaces for women to talk about sexual…
Over the past year, women of different backgrounds, working in various industries have joined the #MeToo movement, aimed at holding accountable those responsible for sexual harassment of women. The movement has given a platform for women survivors of violence to be silent no more; a support network for victims to be heard and collective calls…
I think one of the worst things rape culture has enabled is the shame that accompanies its victims and survivors; when the shame and violation shifts from the perpetrator to the victim. When I am unable to say that I have been raped because of the stigma that accompanies rape survivors, the indignity is imprinted…
Isis-WICCE is named after Isis, the Egyptian Goddess of creativity, Knowledge and wisdom. Founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1974 as a global women’s resource centre documenting and disseminating women’s experiences, concerns and ideas, Isis-WICCE moved to Kampala, Uganda in 1993 to connect and amplify the African woman’s voice to the rest of the world. Isis-WICCE…
“Beauty Provokes Harassment, the law says, but it looks through men’s eyes when deciding what provokes it” ~ Naomi Wolf, The Beauty Myth I know sexual harassment at the work place by male colleagues/supervisors/ bosses is widespread and not a new phenomenon. Except that somehow I thought I was immune from it. So it caught…
