{"id":430000,"date":"2025-12-17T09:01:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T08:01:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=430000"},"modified":"2025-12-17T09:01:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T08:01:43","slug":"femmes-sunissent-courir-se-font-harceler-hommes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/women-unite-run-and-are-harassed-by-men-430000","title":{"rendered":"Women band together to run and are harassed by men"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Running should be a source of freedom, joy, and reconnection with one&#39;s body. Yet, for many women, this simple act remains fraught with apprehension. By coming together to run, they hoped to rediscover serenity. Above all, they brought to light a reality that is still too often ignored.<\/p>\n<h2> Running together to feel stronger<\/h2>\n<p> Originally, these women&#39;s running clubs arose from a profoundly positive need: to regain confidence in their bodies, their physical abilities, and their place in public spaces. Running together means sharing the effort, encouraging each other, feeling the collective energy, and celebrating powerful, vibrant bodies in motion. In London, Nottingham, and Lewisham, these groups embody an inclusive vision of sport, where every woman is valued, regardless of her pace, body type, or fitness level. However, this bubble of support quickly begins to crack when faced with the realities of the street.<\/p>\n<h2> When harassment interferes with effort<\/h2>\n<p> Molly Slater-Davison <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/12\/15\/women-told-join-run-clubs-safety-filmed-harassed-men-24548829\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">founded &quot;These Girls Run&quot;<\/a> in 2021 with the idea that there&#39;s protection in numbers. Running alone at night filled her with anxiety; running together was meant to alleviate that fear. Yet, even in broad daylight, even in a group, sexual remarks, insults, and inappropriate gestures are rampant. The runners are whistled at, called out to, and stared at. Their bodies are reduced to objects of commentary. The contrast is stark: on one side, women focused on the pleasure of movement; on the other, verbal abuse that erupts without warning and shatters the moment. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRo0o4WiBfm\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\"> View this post on Instagram <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"> <a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DRo0o4WiBfm\/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by The LDN Fitness Collective (@theldnfitnesscollective)<\/a> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2> Figures and survival strategies<\/h2>\n<p> Testimonies gathered across the United Kingdom reveal a disturbing reality. A significant number of female joggers report being spat on, followed, or threatened. Some explain that they run with defensive reflexes: holding keys, carrying pepper spray, altering their routes. These strategies are not &quot;excessive caution,&quot; but adaptations to a climate of insecurity that has become almost normalized. The paradox is striking: sport, which is supposed to strengthen the feeling of control over one&#39;s body, here forces runners to anticipate danger.<\/p>\n<p>In Lewisham, Emily Hewitt created &quot;Ladies Who Run&quot; to help mothers reclaim their bodies after pregnancy. Running helps them feel strong, resilient, and proud of the bodies that gave life. Yet, even there, harassment is pervasive: sexualized comments, men slowing down in their cars, humiliating catcalls. During a single training session, several groups were targeted simultaneously. These women didn&#39;t create these clubs to be exposed to violence together, but to support each other and rebuild their lives.<\/p>\n<h2> A banalized fear, a misplaced responsibility<\/h2>\n<p> Women have long been advised not to run alone, as if the solution lay solely with them. However, these experiences show that even group dynamics aren&#39;t always enough to deter sexist behavior. Faced with the shock, many don&#39;t think to file a complaint. The reflex is to move away, protect the group, and carry on. Authorities claim to take these incidents seriously and support educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness of respectful behavior and identifying risk areas. Nevertheless, there&#39;s still a long way to go.<\/p>\n<p>Despite everything, these women persevere. They run again and again. They occupy the space, proud of their bodies, their strength, their determination. Each stride is an affirmation: their bodies deserve respect, their presence is legitimate, their freedom is non-negotiable. These clubs, beyond the sport itself, have become symbols. Communities where movement, solidarity, and self-confidence are celebrated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Running should be a source of freedom, joy, and reconnection with one&#39;s body. Yet, for many women, this...","protected":false},"author":8394,"featured_media":430006,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[72943],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-430000","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-feminisme"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Des-femmes-sunissent-pour-courir-et-se-font-harceler-par-des-hommes-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Des-femmes-sunissent-pour-courir-et-se-font-harceler-par-des-hommes-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Des-femmes-sunissent-pour-courir-et-se-font-harceler-par-des-hommes.jpg","author":{"name":"L\u00e9a Michel","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1721220128171-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":72943,"name":"Feminism","slug":"feminisme","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":73115,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Feminism section of The Body Optimist covers gender equality in everyday life: everyday sexism, violence against women, work, the domestic load, rights and representation. Its explainers, first-person stories and practical advice are for anyone who wants to understand inequality and act against it, with special attention to the pressures placed on women\u2019s bodies.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Feminism section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Everyday sexism<\/strong>: remarks, jokes and expressions that normalize inequality, like the familiar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/you-scare-men-a-remark-often-made-to-women-sparks-debate-439175\">\u201cyou scare men\u201d comment<\/a> so many women hear.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Violence and harassment<\/strong>: street and online harassment, consent, intimate partner violence and tools to help recognize abuse early.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Work and money<\/strong>: pay gaps, entrepreneurship, the division of household labor and the extra expenses that inequality places on women.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bodies and expectations<\/strong>: body hair, clothing, age and appearance, and the debates over women\u2019s freedom to decide about their own bodies and image.<\/li>\n<li><strong>History and symbols<\/strong>: pioneers, inventors and rallying symbols that tell the story of feminist movements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Women\u2019s rights around the world<\/strong>: access to education, sports and public space, and the fights being waged from Afghanistan to Ethiopia, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/afghan-private-schools-defy-the-ban-on-teaching-431358\">Afghan girls defying the ban on schooling<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do you respond to everyday sexism?<\/h2>\n<p>Responding to everyday sexism starts with naming what was just said, without justifying yourself or apologizing. A few strategies that work:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ask a neutral question (\u201cCan you explain what you mean?\u201d): having to spell out a remark is often enough to defuse it.<\/li>\n<li>Describe the facts instead of judging the person (\u201cThat joke reduces women to their looks\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>Assess your safety: you are never obligated to respond on the spot.<\/li>\n<li>At work, write down dates, words and witnesses: in many countries, sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace are against the law.<\/li>\n<li>As a bystander, support the person being targeted rather than letting silence validate the remark.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For situations at the office, our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/how-to-set-boundaries-in-the-face-of-unsolicited-advances-at-work-447161\">setting boundaries with unwanted advances at work<\/a> offers more concrete responses.<\/p>\n<h2>Our approach: an inclusive, practical feminism<\/h2>\n<p>Our feminism includes all women: fat or thin, women of color, lesbian, trans, disabled, younger or older. We connect the big questions of equality to lived situations, from a comment at the office to the division of chores, and we prefer explanations and practical steps to controversy, without ranking struggles or pitting women against each other.<\/p>\n<h2>Articles to start with<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/invisible-costs-women-bear-daily-436496\">invisible costs women bear every day<\/a>, and what they reveal about inequality.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/the-cool-girl-myth-when-being-desirable-mostly-means-never-causing-a-disturbance-447055\">\u201ccool girl\u201d myth<\/a>, or how being seen as desirable often comes down to never making waves.<\/li>\n<li>Why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/why-is-a-womans-body-a-subject-of-debate-after-45-years-444443\">women\u2019s bodies after 45<\/a> are still such a hot topic, and what ageism has to do with it.<\/li>\n<li>How <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/outfits-deemed-inappropriate-dress-code-reveals-inequalities-between-men-and-women-434311\">dress codes<\/a> expose double standards between men and women.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What is feminism?<\/h3>\n<p>Feminism refers to the ideas and movements that seek equal rights, opportunities and living conditions for women and men. It spans many schools of thought that share one observation: inequality between the sexes is socially constructed, which means it can be challenged, in the law as well as in attitudes.<\/p>\n<h3>What is the difference between sexism and misogyny?<\/h3>\n<p>Sexism covers prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination based on sex, often so normalized that they go unnoticed. Misogyny refers more specifically to contempt or hostility toward women. A joke about \u201cwomen drivers\u201d is everyday sexism; a speech claiming that women are incompetent by nature is misogyny.<\/p>\n<h3>What is the mental load?<\/h3>\n<p>The mental load is the invisible work of anticipating and organizing household and family life: remembering appointments, groceries, birthdays and whatever is running low. Even when chores are shared, this project-manager role still often falls to women, with effects on their fatigue and their free time.<\/p>\n<h3>What should you do if you experience intimate partner violence?<\/h3>\n<p>If you are in immediate danger, call the emergency number in your country. Many countries have a free, confidential helpline for people experiencing domestic violence, and a doctor, a social worker or a specialized organization can help you plan your next steps. Tools such as the \u201cviolentometer,\u201d a scale that runs from green to red, can also help you recognize behaviors that call for caution or signal danger.<\/p>\n<p>Want to go further? Explore all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\">Society<\/a> topics, along with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\">Fatphobia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/lgbtqia\">LGBTQIA+<\/a> sections.<\/p>","parent":5678,"count":217,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":72943,"category_count":217,"category_description":"<p>The Feminism section of The Body Optimist covers gender equality in everyday life: everyday sexism, violence against women, work, the domestic load, rights and representation. Its explainers, first-person stories and practical advice are for anyone who wants to understand inequality and act against it, with special attention to the pressures placed on women\u2019s bodies.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Feminism section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Everyday sexism<\/strong>: remarks, jokes and expressions that normalize inequality, like the familiar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/you-scare-men-a-remark-often-made-to-women-sparks-debate-439175\">\u201cyou scare men\u201d comment<\/a> so many women hear.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Violence and harassment<\/strong>: street and online harassment, consent, intimate partner violence and tools to help recognize abuse early.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Work and money<\/strong>: pay gaps, entrepreneurship, the division of household labor and the extra expenses that inequality places on women.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bodies and expectations<\/strong>: body hair, clothing, age and appearance, and the debates over women\u2019s freedom to decide about their own bodies and image.<\/li>\n<li><strong>History and symbols<\/strong>: pioneers, inventors and rallying symbols that tell the story of feminist movements.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Women\u2019s rights around the world<\/strong>: access to education, sports and public space, and the fights being waged from Afghanistan to Ethiopia, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/afghan-private-schools-defy-the-ban-on-teaching-431358\">Afghan girls defying the ban on schooling<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How do you respond to everyday sexism?<\/h2>\n<p>Responding to everyday sexism starts with naming what was just said, without justifying yourself or apologizing. A few strategies that work:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ask a neutral question (\u201cCan you explain what you mean?\u201d): having to spell out a remark is often enough to defuse it.<\/li>\n<li>Describe the facts instead of judging the person (\u201cThat joke reduces women to their looks\u201d).<\/li>\n<li>Assess your safety: you are never obligated to respond on the spot.<\/li>\n<li>At work, write down dates, words and witnesses: in many countries, sexual harassment and sex discrimination in the workplace are against the law.<\/li>\n<li>As a bystander, support the person being targeted rather than letting silence validate the remark.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For situations at the office, our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/how-to-set-boundaries-in-the-face-of-unsolicited-advances-at-work-447161\">setting boundaries with unwanted advances at work<\/a> offers more concrete responses.<\/p>\n<h2>Our approach: an inclusive, practical feminism<\/h2>\n<p>Our feminism includes all women: fat or thin, women of color, lesbian, trans, disabled, younger or older. We connect the big questions of equality to lived situations, from a comment at the office to the division of chores, and we prefer explanations and practical steps to controversy, without ranking struggles or pitting women against each other.<\/p>\n<h2>Articles to start with<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/invisible-costs-women-bear-daily-436496\">invisible costs women bear every day<\/a>, and what they reveal about inequality.<\/li>\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/the-cool-girl-myth-when-being-desirable-mostly-means-never-causing-a-disturbance-447055\">\u201ccool girl\u201d myth<\/a>, or how being seen as desirable often comes down to never making waves.<\/li>\n<li>Why <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/why-is-a-womans-body-a-subject-of-debate-after-45-years-444443\">women\u2019s bodies after 45<\/a> are still such a hot topic, and what ageism has to do with it.<\/li>\n<li>How <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/feminisme\/outfits-deemed-inappropriate-dress-code-reveals-inequalities-between-men-and-women-434311\">dress codes<\/a> expose double standards between men and women.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What is feminism?<\/h3>\n<p>Feminism refers to the ideas and movements that seek equal rights, opportunities and living conditions for women and men. It spans many schools of thought that share one observation: inequality between the sexes is socially constructed, which means it can be challenged, in the law as well as in attitudes.<\/p>\n<h3>What is the difference between sexism and misogyny?<\/h3>\n<p>Sexism covers prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination based on sex, often so normalized that they go unnoticed. Misogyny refers more specifically to contempt or hostility toward women. A joke about \u201cwomen drivers\u201d is everyday sexism; a speech claiming that women are incompetent by nature is misogyny.<\/p>\n<h3>What is the mental load?<\/h3>\n<p>The mental load is the invisible work of anticipating and organizing household and family life: remembering appointments, groceries, birthdays and whatever is running low. Even when chores are shared, this project-manager role still often falls to women, with effects on their fatigue and their free time.<\/p>\n<h3>What should you do if you experience intimate partner violence?<\/h3>\n<p>If you are in immediate danger, call the emergency number in your country. Many countries have a free, confidential helpline for people experiencing domestic violence, and a doctor, a social worker or a specialized organization can help you plan your next steps. Tools such as the \u201cviolentometer,\u201d a scale that runs from green to red, can also help you recognize behaviors that call for caution or signal danger.<\/p>\n<p>Want to go further? Explore all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\">Society<\/a> topics, along with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/grossophobie\">Fatphobia<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/societe\/lgbtqia\">LGBTQIA+<\/a> sections.<\/p>","cat_name":"Feminism","category_nicename":"feminisme","category_parent":5678}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430000","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8394"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=430000"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430000\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":430058,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/430000\/revisions\/430058"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/430006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=430000"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=430000"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=430000"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}