On the Grounds That We Are Human: Women and Girls Have a Human RIGHT to Dignity and Safety

  A few years ago I was shopping in a grocery store when I noticed a spot on the back of another woman's scrubs.  As she walked through ...

 
A few years ago I was shopping in a grocery store when I noticed a spot on the back of another woman's scrubs.  As she walked through the aisle, obviously clueless about the stain, I sped up with my cart to catch up.  

Discreetly, I leaned over and quietly notified her about what I had seen.  An older woman nearby whispered that she was about to tell her the same.  

The woman in the scrubs was mortified.  We did our best to remind her that it was natural and she had nothing to be ashamed of then looked around for the nearest restroom.  

We both surrounded her to try to cover the stain from the notice of others as we walked her to the restroom.  As we were walking, the older woman just happened to have a scarf/shawl and gave it to the woman in scrubs to wrap around her waist.  

Moments like that are commonplace with women who might otherwise remain strangers.

Sharing over-the-counter pain relievers. 

Sharing tissues, tips, stories. 

Preventing embarrassment.

In the company of other women, one can exchange such kindnesses without the high risk of being sexualized, taken advantage of, manipulated, or ....worse. 

Women and girls require single-sex public spaces for the following reasons:

• Sharing talk and tips about embarrassing situations. 

• Validating and sharing one another's experiences.  

Single-sex spaces offer empowerment through connection. 

Spaces where women and girls can connect with others who share their experiences and create a sense of community are necessary.

Single-sex spaces offer protection from bias by removing potential bias and discrimination from male-dominated environments, allowing women and girls to participate fully without fear of judgment.

Single-sex spaces offer empowerment through Connection by availing space where women and girls can connect with others who share their experiences and create a sense of community.

One More Time: Single-sex space necessity

• Keeping one another safe

• Seeking temporary security (stalker, follower, running into a creepy ex....)

Single-sex spaces offer sanctuary from violence. 

A safe haven where women and girls can seek support, share experiences, and develop strategies for safety.

• Helping one another to heal from violence and trauma (support groups, spontaneous quick exits to a private space to gather ourselves)

• Tend to our most embarrassing moments that just happen to debut in public.  (menstrual cycles, misfitting/readjusting undergarments, heavy menstrual flow due to female reproductive conditions, changing hygiene products, miscarriage,  giving birth, etc....

Single-sex spaces offer opportunities for growth to women and girls.  

A supportive environment where women and girls can explore their identities, build confidence, and develop leadership skills WITHOUT male voices speaking over us, being intimidating, mocking, mimicking, belittling or threatening violence. 

• Changing clothing from top to bottom  if necessary (with a lesser likelihood of being recorded, exploited, or assaulted)

Single-sex spaces offer privacy and dignity. 

Such spaces that exclude males respect the need for privacy and allow women and girls to feel safe and comfortable in a space exclusive to them.    

Women and girls have a human 

right to dignity and safety. 

At all times. 

Despite male feelings.

And it is not "hate" to say any of this.  In fact, deniers of these basics to women and girls are the true haters of 50% of the population on this planet. 

Listen to women and girls.

You have chosen to lie 

for a man you respect.

I have chosen to tell the truth 

for all the women I've never met.

~Aja the Poet