Let’s Talk: Mai Al Khouri

Do you ever think that someone might bother or harass you while walking down the street in Beirut?

I’m originally from Jordan and I feel more safe in Beirut than I do in Amman. I know in Amman [street harassment] was actually a really big issue. You would hear about it every single week and it would happen on a daily basis, even in broad daylight, but in Beirut I feel more safe than I would in Amman. But even then, as a female I’m just kind of always worried, even in the daytime.

What are the resources you resort to for help in this case (of harassment)?

I don’t feel as if I have any resources. I know there’s SheFighter in Jordan but I don’t feel like there are things here, or as if I were to go, even if on the streets if something was to happen, I don’t feel like I could just go up to anyone and ask for help.

What do you think should be done to deal with issues of street harassment and the unsafe navigation of public spaces?

Self-defense and awareness [would help] because I don’t feel that women feel comfortable going up to others and being like, ‘help me, there’s this thing happening.” I feel [it’s important] just to be creating a more helpful environment.

– Mai Al Khouri, Majorless

Note: This interview was originally published on November 22, 2016, by AUB’s official student newspaper, Outlook, as part of the KIP Project’s online campaign against street harassment, called #NotYourAshta.