eve teasing

In light of the 2006 Blog-a-thon on street harassment, which I missed, I'd like chip in my two cents. I don't claim to have any solutions, but I would like to raise a few points.

Many of my friends still live in the delusional belief that this city is safe for women. I'm not saying it's the crime-ridden streets of New York or any other big city in the world, and yes, we women do enjoy many privileges, thanks to the galantry of the men of this country.

But I've often been exposed to street harassment, and this is something that still scares me to this day.

The first time I experienced any sort of discomfort as a girl in this city was when I was 12 or so. I was waiting for my father to pick me up from a friend's house in the evening, when this bearded man walked past us, stood about 5 metres away, and started jacking off. I had nightmares about that for a while after.

Another time I was harrassed was when I was about 15, some guy voluntarily bumped into me as I was walking home from school and called me a whore, for no apparent reason. After that, he stood near my house every week for about a month, touching himself as I walked past him. I finally told my father about it, and once dad confronted him, he went away.

A few years back, I was window shopping in the dead of summer on Hamdan street with a friend. I was wearing a long sleeved shirt with a high-necked collar and a pair of jeans, when this man came up to me and said: Are you working? I was so naive that I didn't even flinch, until my friend started yelling at him.

In that moment, I understood that it would never matter what I wore, how I looked or what I said. I am a woman, and no matter what, no matter where I go in the world, chances are someone will make a disgusting comment.

As I said, I still live with this fear out here. I have faith in this country and its people, but when I read about the young woman who was gang-raped in Dubai and that those criminals only got a two-year sentence, my heart dropped.

All I can do now is walk around with an attitude. Being naive will not work out here or anywhere for that matter, although I do wish I could retain some innocence. I hate giving attitude, as it's not me at all. Also, a lot of well-mannered and good-intentioned men may think I'm a bitch. But without the attitude, I think women would fall victim to idiots much too easily.

I do, however, love it when idiotic Arabs make lewd comments thinking I'm a Westerner. The look on their faces when I answer in Arabic is priceless. I think it goes to show the discrepancy in how Arab men respect Arab vs. non-Arab women.

I'm glad the blog-a-thon took place, maybe it will raise a few eyebrows, hit a few nerves, and open up some minds.