By Omnia Talal Tuktuk driver Mohamed Shaaban was contacted by a civil society organisation, offering him a chance to participate in a workshop for tuktuk drivers. Tuktuks are three-wheeler vehicles used for hire. At the time Shaaban did not know anything about UN Women or its global initiative, Safe Cities, launched as a solution to sexual harassment and sexual violence in public spaces. Shaaban took part in the workshops that included 15 to 20 other drivers, where they learned to draw and express through art what women are subjected to. All drivers were selected from three underprivileged neighbourhoods in Cairo. Training instructor John Milad said it was not easy to convince the drivers to partake in the workshops. But by the end of the training, most of them were convinced that girls and women have the right to a safe environment, free of violence and harassment. Formerly, they believed that women who wore “obscene” clothes should be harassed. The trainees were divided into groups that discussed violence against women and its different forms, coming up with a painting or written piece afterwards. “I was not interested in the workshop at…
UN Women and Cairo’s Tuk-Tuk Drivers Join Together to Fight Sexual Harassment
July 3, 2015
