tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4140535903655638544.post5930018045382864883..comments2023-05-24T15:08:44.621+03:00Comments on Ester Meerman: How to survive Tahrir square as a womanEsterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13689746437198125621noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4140535903655638544.post-79334355238594455872012-12-04T15:25:56.160+02:002012-12-04T15:25:56.160+02:00Thanks Amanda - all excellent points!
When walki...Thanks Amanda - all excellent points! <br /><br />When walking around to interview/talk to people I usually keep all my jewellery on, but when going into the crowd to photograph, I prefer to take them all off. The body language is also very very true, although in my experience that appears to be something that not all women seem to be able to change. Same goes for the 'don't fuck with me' attitude, although I was 'lucky' enough to be born with a perpetual grumpy look on my face. Esterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13689746437198125621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4140535903655638544.post-6889904178250030142012-12-04T14:46:57.241+02:002012-12-04T14:46:57.241+02:00These are all excellent. I have one additional poi...These are all excellent. I have one additional point, however. Nobody seems to mention the need to dress properly as a female(outside of no tanks tops/shorts). I've seen so many female journalists wearing skin-tight jeans, fitted shirts, flats, or even pretty tops. Granted, this is acceptable when we're not working, but in Tahrir, it most likely will make you a target. While I believe EVERY woman should have the right to be in Tahrir and be safe regardless of how they dress, the intensity of sexual harassment in Tahrir has forced me to swallow my feminism, and sink my priorities to basic survival. If I enter a protest or clash, I will be wearing men's clothing (jeans and a polo shirt, usually), and also a compression top to keep my chest flat (#smallboobadvantage). Before I had the compression top, I wore a well-fitted plateless flak under a baggy t-shirt. It isn't very noticeable, and to my advantage, it made my upper body look slightly more boxy and manly. A tea seller once 'accidentally' tripped hands-first into my chest when I was wearing it, and the look on his face when he hit the flak was priceless. The purest of 'WTF's.<br /><br />I occasionally put a little dark makeup under my eyes. I always remove all of my rings, wear a tight belt, cover my tattoos, and wear a baggy beanie over my hair. The beanie works wonders. People to the sides and behind me don't notice that I'm female, only those who look directly at my face will realize that I may be the owner of a uterus(GASP). And usually, by the time they do realize this, it's either too late or they're too confused to make a physical move. From my experiences, though, even if my body is 'masculin-ized', keeping my hair under the beanie makes the most difference. If your hair is noticeably feminine, it is much easier for men to notice you from any angle, and in worse cases, follow you in a crowd.<br /><br />Another important thing is body language. I try my best to walk a bit 'heavier' (not that I'm very graceful to begin with, but alas). I try to keep a perpetual 'pissed-off'/'don't fuck with me' face on. Also, if I'm trying to navigate through a crowd, I usually keep one hand up in front of me at chest level, palm facing in, to make it obvious that I want space. Most men, as soon as they see that I'm being defensive, go out of their way to move away from me when passing, and some even offer a preemptive apology with their hands raised. Just like my attire tactics, this isn't foolproof, but physically showing that you're on the defense will deter potential harassers in crowded spaces.<br /><br />I can only speak for myself, but I've been in almost every protest and clash since March (ALWAYS with a 'bodyguard' or two), and haven't had any major incidents. I've had my share of ass-grabs, usually in chaotic situations like the Presidential announcement, where there's a lot of waiting time for someone to watch you long enough to plan an attack. But nothing more, thankfully. I highly suggest more female journalists take this approach, in addition to the tips above. This all may sound extreme to some, but if going overboard and throwing style out the window means that my ladygoods don't get nominated for a free-for-all grabfest, I'm going to do everything I can to stay safe, and to work most productively as a photographer in Egypt. <br /><br />Amanda<br />www.amandamustardphoto.comAmanda Mustardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06558787037560501726noreply@blogger.com