Sexual harassment and assault often bring to mind extreme or violent acts, but many behaviours that violate personal boundaries occur daily and are normalised within societal and cultural contexts. These actions such as catcalling, unsolicited sexual advances, inappropriate touching, or derogatory comments, are frequently dismissed as "harmless" or a “normal” part of interactions, especially in public spaces. However, these behaviours perpetuate a culture where personal boundaries are ignored, and consent is trivialized.
The normalisation of these actions is deeply rooted in societal structures, including gender inequality, power dynamics, and cultural attitudes that excuse or overlook such violations. Victims often feel powerless to speak out due to fear of being ignored, judged, or blamed. This silence allows these behaviours to persist, creating environments where individuals, particularly women and marginalised groups, feel unsafe and undervalued.
This episode shines light on the pervasive issue of normalised sexual harassment and assault, examining how cultural acceptance enables these behaviors and exploring strategies for challenging and dismantling this harmful culture.
Host: Mavis Aryee
Panellists: Jemima, Margaret, Hannatu, Ralph, Kenneth, Enoch, Jemaimah and Michael.
Producer: Michael Tetteh Doku
Music
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