Speaking out against harassment
Photo: Moti Kimchi
'I'm a proud slut'
Photo: Gilad Morag
Hundreds take part in Tel Aviv SlutWalk
Israeli women march in protest of those who claim that dressing, acting in certain way makes women responsible for rapes, sexual harassment
On Thursday evening some 200 protestors gathered at Tel Aviv's
Gan Meir where the SlutWalk protest march was set to begin. The name may be provocative but it hides a very serious agenda.
"You're inclined to blame her and not the attacker. We are here to give the word 'slut' a new meaning, to give it a positive instead of negative connotation, as was done in the past with the words 'homosexual' and 'lesbian.'"
The protestors claim that the purpose of the demonstration is to act as a response to allegations that women who dress in a very revealing manner, choose to drink alcohol or act in a certain way are the ones responsible for their rapes and sexual harassment.
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The women have chosen to protest against such statements and claim that it is that kind of attitude which turns women into the guilty party; that women have a basic right to wear whatever they want; and that the attitude makes it seem like men have no awareness or self control.
"Come in revealing clothes or not, come as you like. No one will judge you," the march's Facebook page, which has hundreds of members, stated. The demonstrators are shouting "enough, blame the rapist," "no we aren't transparent, we kick out at sexism."
Neta Friedman, 19, one of the SlutWalk's organizers said: "You can't walk down the street these days without being sexually harassed on a regular basis. Usually when someone gets raped there is a natural tendency to say 'wait she drank' or 'she used to sleep around a lot.'
Tel Aviv's SlutWalk
Halel Hakim who took part in the walk wearing a T-Shirt that read: "not a potential rapist – just a man," said "I'm here to offer my support and give legitimization to dress however you like without stigmas… I hope this will change something in the old fashioned concept.
The catalyst for the SlutWalk protest marches was an incident that occurred in 2011 in Toronto Canada Constable Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto Police officer, suggested that to remain safe, "women should avoid dressing like sluts." In response, SlutWalks began across the globe.
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