Let’s call out catcalling

We all know a woman in our life that has experienced catcalling, unwanted male attention or even antisocial behavior onboard public transport.

Unfortunately, that is the reality of what life entails as a woman in Irish society today. 

It is a disappointing norm within our society that has been allowed to creep in and fester further.

Why is it when women of all ages are walking to do their food shopping, they can feel multiple pairs of eyes staring at them like lasers, almost stinging as they wait for them say something so outrageous, that will leave no choice but to try and laugh it off with the girls next time they see them?

Oh, my goodness, just a look at me up and down? Happy days! 

However, the subject is finally becoming topic of discussion.  

A new campaign created by the Instagram social media account ‘Empower her voice Dublin’ began taking submissions from people to hear their experiences of unwanted attention and catcalling in Dublin.

They take a quote from the instance and write it in chalk outside the venue or on the street where the incident occurred.   

Photo Credits- Empowerhervoice Instagram account

The page has opened the eyes to many in Dublin of just how many incidents take place in pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. They have opened the conversation further into the painful reality of what many go through whilst living in Dublin.  

The Liberty spoke to a student living in Dublin, Laoise Gannon, about their experiences onboard Dublin public transport.

“I was on the Luas on the way home from the train station. A man sat beside me, I immediately felt uncomfortable. He seemed like he was drinking, he started to rub his leg up against mine. When I went to get up, he immediately grabbed my ass, I was lucky I made eye contact with someone who came over and pretended they knew me.” 

Gannon has been a college student in Dublin for the past two years, her experience of Dublin has been tarnished by the unwanted attention she has received on both the streets and public transport of Dublin.

Although there is now a new method to reporting antisocial behavior on the Luas, its effectiveness has often been brought into question as to whether this will be effective in stopping antisocial occurrences onboard Irish public transport.  

As the number of these stories each girl or woman has increases, the question remains – will anything be done to combat this issue? Or will the women of Ireland be forced to use them as discussions among themselves, or even start a campaign of their own?  

Given the current climate of Dublin and Ireland now, it is important for people of all ages to stay safe.