Understanding Adolescents’ Perspectives on Street Harassment in Kathmandu, Nepal, Using Video Vignettes

After viewing a cartoon video vignette, girls and boys ages 12–17 in peri-urban Kathmandu, Nepal, were asked how a girl character felt and reacted to street harassment. Using survey questions, interviews, and focus groups, researchers address four themes: awareness of harassment, a desire to confront harassers, the need to rely upon adult intervention, and desire for social change. Findings indicate that even young girls are affected by the patriarchal project of restricting movements and dress of females. Girls’ desire to confront harassers and for social change is encouraging, but generational power differentials leave them dependent on finding allies among adults.