Reclaiming Space - Episode 1 - How Youth Activists Changed UK Law on Street Harassment

What does it take to turn personal experiences of street harassment into a national movement — and ultimately change the law? In the first episode of Reclaiming Space, hosts ElsaMarie D'Silva and Holly Kearl speak with Georgia Theodoulou and Melissa Winterbottom, directors of Our Streets Now, a UK-based organisation campaigning to end public sexual harassment. What began in 2019 with two teenage sisters, Maya and Gemma, speaking out against street harassment grew into a nationwide campaign that helped secure new legislation against public sexual harassment in England and Wales. But passing a law is only the beginning. How do you turn legislation into meaningful change? And what can activists around the world learn from this campaign? In this conversation, we explore: How personal experiences and youth activism sparked a national movement. The journey from an online petition to legislative change. The importance of partnerships, including with Plan International UK. The challenges of navigating political systems, public backlash and delays in implementing legislation. Why education and cultural change must accompany legal reform. How activists sustain their work, protect their wellbeing and build lasting movements. Because freedom from harassment shouldn't be a privilege. It should be a right. 🎙️ Reclaiming Space is a podcast from Red Dot Foundation Global, exploring one central question: What would it take for women and girls to move through the world freely and without fear? 🌐 Learn more: https://reddotfoundation.org/ Subscribe for conversations with changemakers using activism, technology, policy and urban design to create safer, more inclusive public spaces. #ReclaimingSpace #OurStreetsNow #StreetHarassment #PublicSexualHarassment #WomensSafety #GenderEquality #YouthActivism #endviolenceagainstwomen