Catcalling Isn’t Just a Safety Issue

What is Catcalling?

When I was 13 years old, I was helping tear shingles off the roof. It was the middle of the day, so cars were driving up and down the road. One car had the top down and a group of guys were in it. My back was towards them, but I heard whistles and yelps. When I turned around they were already speeding away.

Everyone might have a slightly different definition of catcalling; it can be based on things someone has heard, seen, or experienced. The official definition of catcalling is “a loud, sexually suggestive, threatening or harassing call or remark directed at someone publicly.” This behavior can include sexual comments and remarks, whistles, following someone in public, and even indecent exposure. While anyone can experience it, women have historically been, and continue to be, the main targets.

In a study done by Colleen O’Leary of Illinois State University, women were interviewed about their experiences with catcalling. Most of them defined catcalling as “a man yelling sexual or derogatory comments towards a woman.” The majority of participants said that it is a verbal and audible gesture, while others said that they would consider things like staring and other suggestive behaviors as catcalling as well. It is important to remember that individual experiences shape your definition, and just because it is different from someone else’s, does not make it wrong.

Impact of Catcalling

For the women experiencing it, catcalling is almost never positive. While most men, when asked, said that it was their way of “complimenting” a woman, the women experiencing these comments did not agree that catcalling felt like a compliment. Catcalling is a form of sexual harassment, the consequences of which are not small or harmless. Girls as young as 11 years old, and even younger, will receive unprompted commentary on their appearances. Exposure to objectification at such a young age can cause feelings of shame, body image issues, anxiety, and vulnerability.

A girl sitting at a school desk staring out to the side, it looks like she is distracted and not paying attention — Caption: Girl distracted in school. By: Seventyfour Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 906974163

By the age of seventeen, 85% of girls claim that they have been sexually harassed. When 5,000 women were asked about their experience, 85% of them said that they choose alternate routes (often longer ones) to get to their destinations to avoid experiencing unwanted attention. Another study of 4,900 women found that more than a third had been late to school or work because of street harassment.

These studies show that catcalling is not innocent. Those who experience sexual harassment can have feelings of absent mindedness and a lack of focus. Research shows that girls who experienced objectification by men perform worse academically, especially in mathematics. Unlike a compliment, which makes someone feel good, this makes girls doubt themselves and diminishes them to “objects”.

Safety Issues

Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that all people have the right to life, liberty and security, which includes feeling secure and safe in public spaces. For most women, catcalling can quickly lead to feeling unsafe in an area where they expect to experience catcalling. In a study done by Colleen O’Leary of Illinois State, it is reported that women felt fear when they had to walk alone at night, use public transit, or walk in desolate public spaces like parking garages.

A woman standing at a fenced dimly lit bridge in the dark looking outward before she walks forward. — Caption: Woman walking at night By: Haru Works Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 576642516

Some women have stated that they have cancelled plans and social outings, not because they did not want to go, but in fear of being harassed. The need to avoid catcalling and potential street harassment outweighed the experience they would get when hanging out with their friends. A smaller percentage of women reported that they packed up their things and decided to move towns. Imagine packing up your life and leaving your family, friends, and work behind because you don’t feel safe in the streets of the town you live in.

In a podcast hosted by Ayesha Rascoe, she interviewed a person who came up with an exhibit idea where males would get to experience getting catcalled by other men. Women from the Sacramento region, where this exhibit took place, were asked to send in their stories of being catcalled. Their submissions were then recorded in studios with men reading the submissions out loud. The idea of the exhibit was a dark hallway with a mirror in the middle. This was meant to provide an auditory experience. When men got to the mirror, they would put on headphones that would play a montage of the recorded submissions of catcalls, all while staring at themselves in the mirror.

This exhibit was visited by people all over the world, and both men and women came to experience it. Women who went in came out and stated that they felt validated and seen. Men came out of the exhibit crying and pleading for forgiveness. A lot of them claimed that they had never realized the impact catcalling carried. For most of them this was the first time that they experienced anything like this. And while this was a controlled environment, and there was no imminent danger, it made real situations that much scarier. Walking out of the exhibit, you are unscathed, bothered, but unharmed. The same is not true for real scenarios where women have experienced it.

Economic Issues

As mentioned previously, a research study showed that girls who have experienced objectification tend to perform worse in school, specifically in subjects like math. However, this is not exclusive to a school setting. Women experiencing objectification from the opposite sex, often experience enhanced feelings of self-objectification. Studies have shown that this has consequences of hindering focus and the ability to concentrate. In turn, it leads to inadequate performance in mathematical fields or during times when logical reasoning is required.

Caption: A woman looking angry at a man. By: Drobot Dean Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 94475250

In one study, college girls were left alone in a dressing room for 10 minutes and asked to complete a math test. The only difference is that some girls were wearing swimsuits, while the others wore sweaters. The women who were dressed in swimwear performed poorer on the test compared to those in sweaters. The same study was completed on college males, and there was negligible difference in their test scores regardless of what they were wearing.

This is important because in both studies it is apparent that, when girls experience feelings of sexualization or think that they are in danger of being perceived in sexual contexts, they tend to underperform on daily tasks. This puts them at a disadvantage in both the classroom and in the workplace, which might help explain why the male and female gap in STEM fields remains high.

Conclusion

While there are no legal repercussions that are meant to protect women, or anyone, from catcalling in the US, it is beginning to be recognized as a legitimate form of sexual harassment. In 2022, Britain included catcalling and street sexual harassment as crimes that would hold a two-year jail punishment. By doing this they are aiming to create a safer environment for their citizens.

Additionally, by creating immersive exhibits like the ones in Sacramento, along with protective laws, there is hope that catcalling and street harassment will be a thing of the past. As societies move towards a safer tomorrow, it is important to remember those who have been impacted by this. The more this gets spoken about and the more experiences are shared, the bigger an impact will be created.

Finally, it is important to step in when someone needs help. When witnessing an instance of street harassment or catcalling, statistically, bystanders will not engage because they assume someone else will help. With this mentality, those being affected by catcalling and street harassment are left without help. If you come across this, do not be the one who thinks someone else will step in. If it is safe for you to do so, then calling the police, intervening, or even creating a distraction can make all the difference for someone.

Where Do You Go When Your Country Sinks?

How the climate has changed

Our planet is mostly blue. About 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, leaving less than a third as land. Throughout the 20^th century, sea levels rose about 0.06 inches each year. But over the past two decades, that rate has more than doubled, now rising to about 0.14 inches (.36 cm) per year.

While those numbers may seem small, they gradually add up to a significant amount. Just in 30 years (1993-2023) global sea levels have risen about 4 inches (10 cm), enough to erase entire stretches of coastline; a single inch of additional rise can take away anywhere from 4 to 9 feet of beach . Let’s say that 6.5 feet (1.98 meters) of beach is lost with every extra inch. If levels rise 4 inches, nearly 26 feet (7.9 meters) of coastline disappears in 30 years.

Sea levels near a doc, it is shown that part of the stairs that go down to something are flooded. — By: Richard Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 311767670

Who is affected?

Now imagine living somewhere where the average elevation is about 3 to 10 feet above sea level. Imagining the impact of 4 inches is hard, but if sea levels are rise a mere 1.5 feet (45 cm) by 2100, only 23% of the Maldives will remain above water. Today, the Maldives has a population of around 540,000 people. If levels continue rising, it means that in just 2 generations the country will be almost completely submerged underwater and uninhabitable.

Another country in danger of disappearance is Kiribati. It lies in the central Pacific Ocean with average elevations of about 6 feet (1.8 meters). While not at the same level of danger as the Maldives, their chances of surviving rising sea levels remain low. In 2008, the Kiribati president asked the countries of Australia and New Zealand to accept Kiribati citizens for permanent relocation. Presently two of the islands of the Republic of Kiribati, Tebua Tarawa and Abanuea, are completely underwater. Many communities and towns have been forced to uproot and move further inland due to the destruction of farmland caused by saltwater.

These island countries are not the only ones at risk when it comes to rising sea levels. Coastal cities in the U.S. will suffer similar fates. New York, for instance, is highly impacted by flooding, and it is estimated that in just 25 years almost 500,000 people will experience living on “threatened land,” which refers to areas that are at risk of flooding. Besides New York, Florida is at the highest risk of experiencing extreme flooding and shrinking coastlines.

The Islands of the Maldives from a bird's eye view — By: raul77 Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 532722555

Protections against climate change

Currently, there are no regulations on how to define those who are forced to leave their homes due to climate-related changes. Displacement can come from gradual causes, like rising sea levels, or sudden ones, like hurricanes, but in both cases, there is no clear international law to guide what happens next. However, when there is a hurricane that causes significant damage, the response is more obvious than the response to gradual change. People are rendered homeless in a matter of days, and neighboring countries and foreign allies provide necessary aid to help sustain those affected.

With climate change, though, in this case rising sea levels, displacement becomes much more gradual. Bit by bit people are pushed inland, and while most do not want to leave their home countries, in some cases, they are left with no choice but to flee. With the current international law, it is difficult to receive help. Those seeking to relocate are met with lengthy processes and a lack of support.

In 2012, a Kiribati national was severely affected by the rising sea levels. He stated that because of the salt affecting the land he had no way of growing food, so he applied to be a “climate refugee” and seek asylum in New Zealand. His application was rejected and his appeal denied, with New Zealand’s government stating that climate change is not a recognized condition for refugee status.

Articles in the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) are meant to protect people from harm and provide solutions in the case of extreme conditions. Under Article 14, people have a right to seek asylum in other countries in the case of persecution. The article does not mention anything about climate change, and climate change is not considered to be persecution. This is important in the case of the Kiribati national, because while he is justified for wanting to seek asylum, there is not a law that protects him against climate change.

This is not to say that the articles in the UDHR cannot be used to justify the fact that such displacements constitute a human rights violation. Article 25 promises the right to food and shelter. Rising sea levels bring salt water into agricultural lands and contaminate the fresh water supply needed to sustain crop growth. This directly threatens countries’ abilities to grow food, which limits their access to either have access to their own crops or use those crops in trade. Sealife also becomes impacted through warming and rising oceans. Fish, which is one of the main food groups for island countries, become scarcer as their coral reef habitats die.

Flooding that is covering homes, roads, and agriculture — By: bilanol Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 360498460

Conclusion

Climate change is already having significant impacts on today’s society; however, there are not any straightforward solutions for those impacted by it yet. It is clear that if sea levels continue to rise, there will have to be modifications made for those displaced through reasons other than persecution. From a human rights perspective, laws that protect those who are losing their homes and countries due to rising sea levels will be imperative in the future.

Climate change is gradual and constant, and many people do not think about it, but it is still a humanitarian crisis. In the poorer countries, it continues to be the main driver for humanitarian aid. But aid is temporary, and it eventually runs out, which is why there is a need for lawfully binding change. In the future we can hope that laws around asylum for displacement will adopt broader conditions, but for now, it is important to support those who are already experiencing it.

Weaponizing Winter: War Crimes in Ukraine

In a world marked with war and destruction, nations and opposing forces will do almost anything to gain an upper hand. This often includes directly targeting homes of civilians, torturing prisoners of war and depriving them of food. In Russia’s case, one of their most prevalent tactics has been bombing Ukrainian thermal power plants.

Ukrainian Climate

Winters in Ukraine are brutally cold, with average temperatures staying below 32^oF (0^oC) throughout inland areas. In the capital (Kyiv), snow covers the ground for about 80 days out of the year. This amounts to almost three months where civilians are left to trudge through freezing conditions. During these times, it is imperative for people to be able to receive heat in their homes.

Due to global warming, temperatures have been increasing in recent years, but during colder times, temperatures have been recorded to drop to -4^oF (-20^oC) and lower. The slight increase in temperatures is not enough to make a difference in people’s lives, especially when they are left with no power in their homes.

Buildings that were damaged and abandoned in the wintertime, there is snow on the ground — Snowy landscape. Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 131601262

By targeting thermal power plants, Russia is actively trying to freeze out Ukrainian citizens. This violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25), which states that every person has rights to an adequate standard of living. When power plants are destroyed, civilians lose access not only to heat, but also water, healthcare, and safety.

Power Grid Attacks

The most recent attack happened on October 8, just as temperatures began to drop. This came as no surprise- every year since the beginning of the invasion, Russia has targeted energy infrastructure, which has continuously left the people of Ukraine without power for prolonged periods. During these attacks, authorities have had to create warming tents where people can go to warm up and charge their electronics.

For Ukraine, this is the fourth year where the people are forced to face a winter of blackouts. While Russia claims that the attacks are strictly aimed at the Ukrainian military, millions of civilians are affected by the power outages. On October 8, nine regions experienced power outages ranging from Kharkiv and Sumy to Odesa. While Ukraine has been retaliating and attempting strikes on Russia, Ukraine lacks long-range weapons, and its Western allies are hesitant in aiding Ukraine with such weapons, due to fears of escalating the conflict with NATO involvement.

Life Without Power

To prevent total blackouts, Ukraine has implemented planned power cuts – a strategic measure to protect the grid from overloading and to allow for safer repair. Additionally, with the continued damage to the grid and uncertainty about future attacks, temporary outages help prevent overloads, protect workers, and reduce the risk of a larger catastrophe.

While these measures are necessary to ensure prolonged safety, during these power cuts many civilians are negatively affected. A lot of civilian homes in Ukraine are in high story buildings that can go above 24 floors. Elevators are imperative for the elderly, those who are disabled, and mothers. During outages, the elevators have no way of working. Those who rely on elevators to get in and out of their homes are forced to plan their days around power cuts.

A girl who has the Ukrainian flag draped over her shoulders walking through a destroyed bomb shelter — Child wrapped in a Ukrainian flag. Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 504260131

This becomes deeply impactful when, during these power outages, people cannot get out of their homes to get to a bomb shelter. Russian attacks are unpredictable, and most bomb shelters are located underground. During the power cuts, some people become victims of drone strikes because they live on top floors and have no way of getting down. Those who are able have resorted to going outside during times without power. In favorable weather conditions, it is better to be outside and know that you can get to a shelter.

People’s Rights

Ukraine and its people are protected under the Geneva Convention; under Common Article 3, it states that those who are not actively participating in hostilities, including those who have laid down their weapons, will always be treated humanely. It goes on to further state that any violence to life and person is prohibited. Although Russia has continuously stated that their intent is to harm military forces, these claims have been deemed false, and civilian infrastructure constantly faces destruction.

The Fourth Geneva Convention in turn, prohibits attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. This includes things like civilian homes, power plants, and hospitals. As mentioned previously, Russia has been staging attacks on Ukrainian power plants since the start of the invasion in 2022. This is a clear violation of the Geneva Convention, because they are taking power away from millions of civilian homes. By doing this right before winter, they are weaponizing the snowy and cold climate in Ukraine.

Even without formal signing, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) is considered a customary law. This means that the articles under IHL are universally recognized as binding. As mentioned above, one of those articles specifically prohibits targeting civilian infrastructure. Human Rights Monitoring Mission (HRMMU) has been monitoring the consequences of Russian attacks on the lives of the general population. They have stated that the current and previous attack on the electricity infrastructure directly violates International Humanitarian Law.

Conclusion

These attacks have had long-term consequences and are not easily fixed. They affect the general population by taking away their ability to feel safe in their homes. Repairs are lengthy and dangerous, and plants are forced to use backup generators to continue providing homes and hospitals with electricity. Unfortunately, outages are still persistent because of overloads, and a backup generator can run for only so long.

Two kids hiding in a bomb shelter wearing jackets and hats with their backpacks — Children holding hands in a bomb shelter. Source: Adobe Stock Asset ID#: 490954008

Power plant attacks have been premeditated and calculated by Russia to instill fear into civilians and destroy morale. The seasons in Ukraine change very rapidly, especially as wintertime approaches, and this attack is a direct weaponization of Ukrainian winters. As the war continues, more of these attacks occur, and there is simply not enough time to restore everything before the cold months take hold.

Despite this, the people of Ukraine have continued to fight back. Communities come together to help those who are most in need. Those who are able to are stepping up in their fields to provide the necessary support – health professionals, educators, and first responders are all taking a part in creating an environment in which services are available to those in need and human rights are being defended against attack.

Access to Reproductive Health Care as an Economic Multiplier

In June 2022, I had just graduated high school when Roe v Wade was overturned, and it was impossible not to react to the news. This illustrates how one of the most controversial topics in the U.S. over the past few years has been reproductive rights. The discourse on what is right and wrong is never-ending, and what should be part of human rights and necessary healthcare has become a political topic rather than a medical one.

When Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, many saw it as a violation of the Declaration of Human Rights, which states that everyone has a right to necessary medical care, social services, and the right to security. If medical care is a part of basic human rights, how can it be taken away? This has become an ongoing issue in the United States, as many people argue that the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade represents a clear violation of human rights, given that women in multiple states are now unable to obtain the procedures they need because doctors fear losing their licenses. Aside from the clear medical implications, this has and will continue to affect aspects of life that people don’t even think about.

Factors of Economic Growth

Economic development is an essential part of a country’s growth. Factors like human capital – defined as the skills, knowledge, and abilities provided by individuals -, natural resources, capital formation, technological development, and social and political forces all play crucial roles in the economic progress of a country. But what happens when one of these becomes compromised? Although all five are essential, one stands out as the foundation for the rest.

Without human capital, the other factors are simply not possible to achieve. Technological developments don’t happen overnight, and government policies don’t spawn out of thin air. Therefore, it is easy to understand that the more labor force participation there is, the greater the push for development and growth. With this in mind, one would assume that the biggest challenge would be encouraging as many people as possible to enter the labor force.

To achieve this, there are several key factors that are necessary for growing human capital– one of those being access to affordable healthcare. Since 1965, women’s labor force participation has been going up (with exceptions for COVID). In 1960, the FDA approved the distribution of the birth control pill, and less than a decade later, in 1973, Roe v. Wade was passed, challenging abortion bans and ruling them unconstitutional.

Labor Force Participation in the US

Woman in a contemplative state
fizkes, Adobe Stock

As of 2025, women reportedly make up 47% of the labor force, meaning the distribution between working men and women is practically equal. Access to reproductive care has given women and families an ability to have control over their lives. By delaying having kids, women have been able to increase their participation in the labor force and pursue higher education, including undergraduate and post graduate degrees. This ultimately led to earning higher wages. So, it begs the question, if the goal is to grow human capital and grow the economy, why would a government ban one of the things that allows women to have a higher labor force participation?

Abortion as a State Right

In the US, it is expected that 25% of women will undergo an abortion at some point, making it one of the most common health procedures for women. In many areas, the criminalization of abortion access is seen as a human rights violation, and it is known that criminalizing abortions causes a plethora of problems. Getting rid of safe abortion does not eliminate abortion, instead it makes it dangerous and scary (Berer, 2023).

After abortion laws were left up to individual states in the US, it became clear that the states that outlawed abortion not only have higher maternal mortality rates, but also twice as many teen births compared to the states where abortion remains legal. While teen births have been on the decline since before the ban, the same cannot be said for maternal deaths. Maternal deaths are more than twice as high in states that do not allow abortion, and worse yet, maternal deaths have been on the rise since before the abortion ban (GEPI, 2023). Although those living in states that now have abortion bans were already less likely to seek abortions prior to the ban, the rise in deaths post-ban has noticeably increased.

A hand holding a protest sign that says keep your laws off my body. — Protest sign for abortion bans
Adobe Stock, JP Photography

Future Reproductive Rights Issues

In the coming years, due to the abortion ban, more women could end up in situations where they have to stay home to take care of children and are thus unable to enter the workforce. Pregnancies in young women will likely increase, making it difficult for them to obtain higher education degrees, which could ultimately limit them to a life of staying at home or holding a series of lower-paying, temporary jobs.

Some might argue that in the past, women did not obtain college degrees and worked stable income jobs their whole lives. As much as that is true, it fails to consider the fact that the world is different now than it was 30 years ago. Over the years, the competition in the job market has significantly increased, and obtaining a higher degree can be the determinant of job stability. The more people who earn degrees, the harder it becomes to compete for a job for those who don’t have one. Which makes it now, more than ever, so important for women to be able to rely on the fact that they will be able to get affordable reproductive healthcare when they need it.

Women as a Part of the Labor Force

Allowing women autonomy over their body supports economic growth. The more people who have entered the labor force, especially those who are educated, the more development and technological innovation will follow. Women will be able to work and start families when and if they want to. By doing this, there is also a higher guarantee that more children will grow up in stable households and go on to obtain higher education. There is almost a domino effect that is created which will multiply through the years. Access to reproductive healthcare serves as an economic multiplier.

Being able to obtain the necessary medical care that someone needs should never be a political issue. Stripping away the rights to abortion and possibly contraceptive care clearly violates the Declaration of Human Rights. Human rights are not and should not be rooted in political agendas. In a world full of injustices, it remains important to stand up for the greater good and bring awareness and education to those around you.