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On 19th January 2013, Blank Noise organised a Tweetathon that invited users to tweet a ‘pledge’, stating how they would take the initiative to make cities safer spaces for women (or, indeed, for anybody who has experienced sexual harassment or violence). People shared a plethora of ideas, and are actually still sharing them (so if you’ve got Twitter, get on it and get in on the action!).Here, I’ve compiled some of the ideas and pledges shared, which attacked many facets of sexual harassment and sexism (from street harassment to domestic behaviour, ideological prejudices and value systems, basic fundamental actions such as staying silent in the face of harassment, etc.) It’s a very small sample of the hundreds and thousands of pledges that are being put on Twitter today (all of which can be found if you search for the hashtag #safecitypledge), but there are some interesting action plans, basic initiatives, and modifications of behaviour to challenge ‘everyday sexism’ here, and they are well worth thinking about, sharing, and disseminating!
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I pledge to never let the conversation on equality and non-violence die out. If it gets boring, I will find innovative ways. #SafeCityPledge
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“I pledge to not be a mute bystander. To intervene. To change the scene.” #SafeCityPledge
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Staring is not acceptable. Smile and look away. Make others comfortable please. #SafeCityPledge
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#SafeCityPledge I will support my friends whenever they feel persecuted by men, I will not let men intimidate women anywhere i am
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RT @DanHusain: I’ve had women friends confide that they felt creepy when someone touched them. Are we men aware when we extend our arms? #SafeCityPledge
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#safecitypledge to never let anybody cat-call/whistle/jeer at women on the streets w/out calling them out on it, showing it’s NOT OK.
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RT @whyloiter: Lets pledge to loiter. The more of us on the streets, the safer the streets for everyone. #SafeCityPledge
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RT @whyloiter: Imagine a city where different kinds of people can loiter at any time of the day or night! My idea of utopia! #SafeCityPledge
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if a man stares at me in a way that makes me uncomfy, I will not turn away embarrassed. I will stare him down. #safecitypledge
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People pointing out that everyone has not only a wider social/urban responsibility, but a domestic one also.
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#SafeCityPledge won’t work until we have a #SafeHomePledge,how you treat women outside is result of how you treat women at home
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#safecitypledge to always take an interest & care in the lives of domestic workers/other, & to intervene if they are facing abuse/violence.
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RT @mojorojo: @kiranmanral I’m going to teach my nephew to always respect women. I’ll argue against chauvinism in every place I meet it #SafeCityPledge
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Teach men that it is not acceptable to order women around for their personal tasks. Respect has to begin from the house. #SafeCityPledge
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#SafeCityPledge Will treat my daughter with respect & help build healthy self esteem. Will teach her to enjoy her body, not be afraid of it.
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People pointed out the overarching need to undermine patriarchal assumptions & beliefs – including victim-blaming rhetoric, the policing of women (instead of sexual offenders!), education, and value-systems.
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I pledge to reject blame. to say out loud. I NEVER ASK For IT. #SafeCityPledge #INeverAskForIt #ActionHeroes
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To educate children and teach them some manners to respect women would be a better #SafeCityPledge.
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#SafeCityPledge educate young boys in Govt. & Pvt. Schools,get vigilant security off at bus& train stations, a 24×7 public transport syst.
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I pledge to open conversations with young people on gender roles and healthy choices in my work @DreamADreamInd #safecitypledge
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People pointed out that we need to question our linguistic habits – a casual demeaning of things like ‘rape’ undermines the enormity of the crime, for example, while we also need to be more attuned to the ways in which linguistic structures condition our understanding of gender. Calling sexual harassment or violence ‘eve-teasing’, for example, undermines the seriousness with which it should be taken and confronted, making it sound like a playground game instead!
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RT @kitabikeeri: Gendered nouns. Ever wonder why nations, boats, cars are referred to in the feminine? Because they can be owned/driven. #safecitypledge
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I will stop indulgently calling street sexual harassment ‘eve-teasing’. It is sexual violence, let’s call it that. #SafeCityPledge
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To never ever let stupid uses of the word “rape” (like ‘frape’) go unchecked & un-admonished if I hear them! #safecitypledge
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RT @OnlineHealthSF: Attn Journalists. It’s not ‘eveteasing’. its Sexual Violence. She’s not victim/ but Survivor. Pledge your role #SafeCityPledge. #OHS
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Safe city pledges extended to political actions….
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RT @gsurya: #SafeCityPledge never vote for parties that have rapists in their midst & justify them, like this BJP MLA bit.ly/VQ83OW
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…and to introspection: after all, we have all been culpable at some point or another due to prevalent values/beliefs, perhaps?
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I pledge to call myself out on my own patriarchal moorings. #safecitypledge
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I pledge to stop making sexist jokes and open conversations about equality of genders at home #safecitypledge
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People acknowledged that gender inequality is not all about victimizing women – it’s equally about stringent, constrictive ideals of masculinity too.
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I pledge to support male friends exploring what it means to be a better man, one less fettered by conventional masculinity. #safecitypledge
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