Whistle Project

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Whistle Project

Project description

Whistle addresses sexual harassment in sports and physical activity, especially verbal sexual harassment (VSH), better known as catcalling. It’s a very common problem but also a very normalized one.

If a man whistles at a woman who is running or biking on the street or makes a too explicit joke, it is not a compliment and, in many cases, it is perceived as real harassment, in which psychological violence is carried out. This phenomenon is growing and significantly affects many women who no longer feel free to train or do physical activity in public spaces, or drop out of sports. It is often trivialized and declassified as mere appreciation without any intention of harassment. However, words and gestures, which are not requested in most cases, do not please but betray strongly sexist behaviour.

Researches from all around the world show that many men and women have experienced or witnessed some sort of sexual harassment. NOW IT’S THE TIME TO RAISE OUR VOICES in order to make our streets and sports centres safer and more comfortable places for everyone to feel free to exercise and practice sports.