This Young Woman Walked Through Kabul Wearing Metal Armor To Protest Street Harassment
Artist-activist Kubra Khademi took to Kabul’s streets in a metal jacket in a defiant protest against sexual harassment.
posted on Feb. 27, 2015, at 11:02 a.m.
Kubra Khademi, a 25-year-old Afghan artist, took to the streets of Kabul in a metal armor to protest street harassment on Thursday.
Photo by Abbas Changezi
In a Facebook post, Khademi, who is a multi-disciplinary artist in Kabul, called her performance “Armor.”
Khademi’s performance went viral in Afghanistan, a country where women struggle against assault, violence and misogynistic traditions on a daily basis.
Street harassment is rampant in cities such as Kabul where women are frequently subjected to verbal insults, physical assault and even acid throwing.
“Harassment on the street is a daily experience for women and girls, and women who have sought help from the police in response to harassment and even threats have typically received no assistance,” according to Human Rights Watch (HRW).
While there has been progress in girls’ access to education and increased participation in The Afghan parliament, “unchecked sexual harassment has been a significant obstacle to women’s employment and participation in public life,” HRW said.
BuzzFeed News has reached out to Khademi for comment.
Tasneem Nashrulla is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.
Contact Tasneem Nashrulla at tasneem.nashrulla@buzzfeed.com
She’s a very courageous young woman.
Yes, she is. She is creatively making her protest hit men right between the eyes. I admire her a lot. May she be safe. Hugs, Barbara
Good for her! I have a lot of admiration for women who can stand up for themselves under such threatening circumstances.
Yes, I believe her actions show extreme bravery.