Screaming Silence of “No”

In the quiet corners of society, a shadow often lingers inside the minds of women. As usually kept within the corners of embarrassment, it is only heard through the whispers that are shut down by silence. It happens anywhere and to anyone, whether in classrooms, workplaces, or public spaces. This prevailing issue persists but has always been dismissed as a joke by a bunch of ignorants in every sector, demographic, and gender.

This unspoken discomfort tackles the boundaries that were left disregarded as if bodies are public displays of entertainment, neglecting others’ personal spaces.

The act of touching someone without their consent is a crime—a violation that scars beyond physical. The cries of the victims resonate powerfully, but it fades when it’s asked. In a country where justice can be reserved only for the privileged, victims frequently find themselves in isolation, and their identities diminished after the weight of their trauma.

Yet, as the walls of silence began to crack, more voices emerged to break the stigma surrounding this experience. The reality of sexual harassment is not just a headline or a gossip that is covered in terror, it is a lived experience for different individuals.

Through an open dialogue and collective support for the victims, they could reclaim their narratives instead of teaching young children to guard themselves. Indeed, at this point of modernity, it would be better to focus on instilling respect and understanding boundaries.

Different bodies, different stories. A firm “no” is a definitive boundary—a statement that must be honored and never dismissed. Hence, everyone has the right to feel safe, regardless of how they look or what they wear.