The Everyday Sexism Project exists to catalogue instances of sexism experienced on a day to day basis. They might be serious or minor, outrageously offensive or so niggling and normalised that you don’t even feel able to protest. Say as much or as little as you like, use your real name or a pseudonym – it’s up to you. By sharing your story you’re showing the world that sexism does exist, it is faced by women everyday and it is a valid problem to discuss.

If you prefer to e-mail me at laura@everydaysexism.com I can upload your story for you instead. Follow us on Twitter (and submit entries by tweet) at @EverydaySexism.

Search through everyday sexism entries

Add your story:

Molly

|

I am quite young I guess for the people on this and others have had it worse but I’m still gonna tell my story. So a couple of months ago, I was on my way to a dance class and a white van was facing the direction I was walking in, btw it was dark, but it wasn’t late, only like 5 ish, and this van had the headlights on so I couldn’t see into the van but they could definitely see me. I have already had experiences of catcalling so I was already feeling nervous. I hear this whirring sound and my doubt says they are rolling down the window, although it does’t sound like it very much. Turns out I was right and one of the men leaned out, leering at me. Now I have learned the number plate by heart, no exactly what days it is parked in the same spot, and have to walk past it several times a week. So thats it I guess, also at the time, I was 13 years old and wearing sweatpants and a puffy coat pulled all the way to the top.

AC

|

There have been countless times where I have been cat called, honked at, whistled at all while simply minding my business. The very first time I can remember this occurring was when I was in middle school. I was wearing a casual outfit, jeans and a plain top. I was walking to go to my friends house and a man rolled his window down and whistled at me. Whenever this occurred I always felt so disgusting and felt the need to cover up even though this wasn’t my fault. Now that I think about it, it makes me feel even more disgusting knowing I was just thirteen and I looked my age as well. I was just a girl yet this man felt it was appropriate to do that. The same thing occurred while being ina group of my other friends, no matter if women are by themselves or in a group, men will still feel the need to catcall women.

Sofia

|

All my life I have been subject to male criticisms of my work and how I structure my answers. In essays, this does not bother me. However, in classes focusing on Women’s rights and Women in general, there was a particular ‘team’ of boys who would not only mansplain everything, but snigger and laugh every time I, or indeed another woman in my class, explained something at university. During secondary school, I was harassed in public, at the canteen of my school, by a boy who had a ‘crush’ on me, who even strangled me off of a bench, along with other things. It was witnessed by all of my friends, but they were simply under the influence of everyday sexism. As I was told ‘he was just flirting’. To a point where I was scared to say no when he asked me out. Which led to a toxic and abusive relationship. I was 14. I am now at university and still seeing everyday sexism everywhere.

anonymous

|

when I was fourteen I was on my way to an out of school club. I took the train by myself, something I always found scary. as I was waiting to get off at my stop, a man took pictures up my skirt. I had no where to move and I felt terrified. several people saw this happen and did nothing. I couldn’t even bring myself to move away. I ran off the train as fast as I could and noticed the man following behind me. I eventually hid in a fast food store and hoped he kept walking. many years later, and I still feel terrified on trains.

Tamsin

|

When I was walking to the supermarket a man walked past me masturbating with his hand in his trousers. I dismissed it, under the impression that nothing had actually “happened” to me. Later that day I was surprised that I felt genuinely upset by the incident, thinking I shouldn’t get emotional about an event in which I’ve not been touched or seen anything indecent.

Charriess

|

In second grade, I was arguing with a boy in my class, and midway through it he stated that “you’re a woman, so you should listen to me and do what I say”. I still remember it to this day, and wonder what was wrong with the way his parents were teaching him.

Ivy

|

I was in seventh grade at the time, and my (male) gym teacher had been sexist the whole year. One day we were playing basketball, and I wore red-ish lipstick. The next day me and my friend walked into class, and saw the teacher sitting on the bleachers. He motioned for us to come over, so we did. He said to me “No more lipstick?” I said “No Sir, not today” He went “Aw. You looked so pretty with lipstick. It made your lips look good for kissing.” I was so scared that he would kiss me, so I grabbed my friends arm and hid in the bathroom until the next period of the day.

E

|

When I first met my boyfriends friends, most apologised for swearing around me. Even when I told them it was fine. If they were talking about anything sexual (not graphic, just around dating or anything) they’d apologise. It’s like they assumed I was some delicate flower who couldn’t handle normal conversations. Worst part is, they’d usually direct the apologies to my boyfriend. Like I was his property.

Joanna

|

Every day I click onto posts online and see comments from men that objectify women or devalue them. We have gone backwards where men are re-starting to use the old outdated comments about getting back in the kitchen, and shaming women for having sex, yet also showing entitlement and anger that women don’t choose them – blaming women for wanting too much or for being innately bad or selfish and thinking we are better than we are. There is hate, fear and envy all wrapped up in this constant discourse. When men are talking about women’s lives and experiences and talking with anger or entitlement and I make a comment, I am regularly told my points are invalid or worthless because I am a woman. I feel more and more like I am voiceless and not a person. When will the government look at introducing sex/gender hate speech? If explicitly saying that someone is inferior because of other characteristics is illegal, why is it okay for a certain sex or gender to be hated? Particularly when it is the oppressed demographic that has had to fight to be given equality and there is a kick back against?

Grace

|

I’m a medical student, and we tend to work in pairs to see patients. I would say that more than half the time, when I see a patient accompanied by a fellow male student, the patient completely ignores me and addresses all their questions to him. This is despite the fact that my colleague and I are at the same level of education and schooling, and usually about the same age. Even if my colleague steps back and lets me lead the interview, they still address him and him only.