Farah Benis, 32, runs a campaign called Catcalls of London which aims to highlight street harassment. This has now grown into Chalk Back, an international movement connecting and supporting activists around the world in campaigning for safer streets for women.
Tell Us A Little About Your Career
I have always been entrepreneurial. From founding a shot-girl agency in university, running a coffee factory and then a business development consultancy in Uganda, I have sought out autonomy in my career.
As a consultant, I have worked across numerous sectors in the UK and across Africa, and I have always believed in pushing my boundaries. I am launching an eco-glitter company, this year, and am involved in a project that is designed to teach emotional intelligence to children.
Having worked in male-dominated industries and faced harassment everywhere from the boardroom to the streets, I got to a point where I was fed up, and wanted to see change. Often, people are unaware of the extent of daily harassment and how added up it really affects women and how they hold themselves in society.
What Is CatCalls Of London?
I started campaigning against street harassment as Catcalls of London, which is an Instagram based campaign, inspired by Catcalls of NYC. Women and girls share their experiences and I chalk the words that have been said in the places that they happened.
The aim of this is to highlight the extent and severity of gender-based street harassment faced by women. This has grown into mentoring youth campaigns and speaking in schools educating young people about harassment.
We have recently just launched Chalk Back. Our goal is to empower other women to question the status quo, raise awareness, and ultimately instigate change, allowing us all to feel safer in our streets. I currently have a petition to parliament asking the government to criminalise street harassment so please sign if you agree!
What 2 Things Do You Do To Build Your Confidence?
The first – be prepared. I’ve started doing a lot more public speaking with the street harassment campaign, and that’s something that has always triggered severe anxiety for me. I’ll talk your ear off, one-to-one, but put a camera or a crowd in front of me and I’m a mess.
Going over what I want to say multiple times and ways helps. Getting feedback from the people around me, both critical and positive is essential. Watching and critiquing myself and correcting it the next time makes me feel better and more confident for the next time.
The second – doing things I’m passionate about. If you’re passionate you can overcome any obstacles of confidence, even anxiety.
What Are Your Top Self-Care Tips? How Do You Relax?
My go-to self-care routine for over a decade has been long bubble baths with candles, wine, and a good book.
As I’ve gotten older, saying “no” has become increasingly more important to me. I was always the person who said yes to everything – help with work, shoulder to cry on, at every party. As your energy is limited, so saying no to projects, to people, or to relationships that only serve to drain is vital to keeping myself in check.
I do like a drink to relax, but ever-increasingly need to remember to not over-do it. I’m not 20 anymore!
How Do You Balance Work And Life Responsibilities? What Sacrifices Have You Made?
I still struggle with balance, but I think that’s ok at times. There will be certain times when trying to make your goals a reality that it’s just not practical to take a step back. There is nothing wrong going full steam ahead as long as you know when to call it quits.
I’ve learned to recognise when I need to press pause, but ultimately I know I thrive with pressure.
My social life and friendships have definitely taken the worst of it in the last few years. I’m either full on with work or recharging but it’s something I’m working on and I’m learning to carve out more time to be present for the people I care about.
What Has Been Your Biggest Life Lesson So Far?
You are the driver of your own success. Seek help, but don’t expect it. Look for opportunities, don’t expect them to be handed to you. There is no such thing as an overnight success. It is built on a myriad of lessons learned and failures and the ability to learn, adapt and carry on. Ultimately the onus is on you.
How Do You Feel About Getting Older?
My 20’s were pretty turbulent. I struggled with both my physical and mental health and was very much burning the candle from both ends. I finally feel like I’m settling into myself. I’m healthy, I’ve learned, I know who I am and I am excited about the path that I’m on now. We’re all getting older, embrace it.
What’s Your Purpose In Life?
To do things of value and impact. Be a part of making the world a better place, not just for us now, but for future generations. It sounds cheesy but it matters.
What Advice Would You Give The Next Generation Of Girls?
Go out into the world and be kind to people. Leave things better than you found them. No matter what you do, do it to the best of your ability. Learn from your mistakes. Have pride in yourself and in your work and don’t be afraid to put yourself first.
Photo by Rebecca Hocknell.
Why not also read our other inspiring interviews including Hayley Tatum, Senior VP of People at Asda or with Kate Pankhurst, author and illustrator.
