Ask a GG - Three

[Lydianne]

Hi! 👋.

This is a question about safety.


So the safety of women outdoors is under the microscope today [ March 13 ] in Britain. I'm not sure whether I can post exactly why in this section, but if you google "women safety Britain", it would be impossible not to find out why. It is horrific. It raises (more) trust issues.


So there is going to be a series of events, demonstrations & vigils nationwide in Britain today,.. but there are also coronavirus restrictions in place regarding in-person gatherings. For some women, the conviction to attend something in person is so strong that they are going to do so anyway.


( I find myself incapable of being critical of that position because when I consider the question of which is more dangerous: the virus or the streets?.. For some women, it could conceivably be the streets. I just hope that those attending in person take steps to protect themselves and each other from the virus. )

The police have stated their position that they will disperse all gatherings, in accordance with virus procedures.


Now, the flashpoint incident took place in London. In Edinburgh ( some 400-or-so miles away at the other end of Britain ), a female official found herself in the unenviable position of having to discourage Edinburgh women from attending events in person and to participate online instead, but to draw attention to her conflict, she said the following:


"I'm 67 years old. For 50 years as a woman, I have lived a life that aims to protect and keep myself safe in a way that no man of my age ever has to do."


So what I'm asking of you is:

1. Which of the steps do each of you take with the hope of improving your safety outdoors in your area? Have they changed over the years, or with the times, or with where you've lived, or through different phases of your life, etc?

2. Do you have any immediate thoughts about the conflict between showing solidarity by gathering in-person and the discouragement from the authorities because of virus procedures?

3. And considering that a lot more of life has been forced online nowadays, which steps do you take to improve your online safety?


Many thanks in advance.

- L.