Between Routes and Risks: An Analysis of Street Harassment in Santiago de Cali

Abstract

This article offers a reflection on a form of gender violence, unfortunately normalized, that affects the free development of women in public spaces: street harassment. Through information gathered in focus groups and social cartographies that explore the routes taken by young students and adults in certain areas of Cali, it is concluded that women are the main victims of this type of violence. This drives them to design mobility strategies, renouncing spaces and opportunities that the city offers them. The results indicate that, faced with sexual harassment in public spaces, women adapt their decisions, modifying their routes. This shows that the experience of street harassment varies significantly between women and men, being more frequent for women and generating opportunity costs in terms of time, travel and peace of mind.