About this
- Original Link: The Spinoff’s Website
- Original Post Date: 5th December 2019
On the Rag was a New Zealand feminist podcast and web series produced by The Spinoff, hosted by Alex Casey, Leonie Hayden, and Michèle A’Court. It combined humour, commentary, and lived experience to unpack women’s issues, pop culture, and politics—questioning norms, challenging power, and making space for frank, unapologetic conversations about life in Aotearoa.
On the Rag: We made our own safety video for women
This episode of On the Rag, titled “Safety,” explores the multifaceted nature of women’s safety in public and professional spaces. The hosts discuss the constant vigilance required of women—such as sharing locations and “texting when home”—contrasting this with the freedom men often have to walk home without fear.
The video addresses harassment through both satire and practical advice:
- Street Harassment: A satirical interview with a “professional” street harasser highlights the absurdity and intrusive nature of being yelled at from cars.
- Workplace Conduct: The hosts provide tips on distinguishing compliments from harassment, emphasizing that the goal is not to “fix the world” but to “name the harassment” and survive it.
- Self-Defence: I guest on this episode, representing Kia Haumaru (then called Women’s Self-Defence Network), teaching the hosts how to transition from fear to “righteous anger”.
The episode concludes with a practical demonstration of the “ballerina kick,” a move aimed at reclaiming personal space and empowering women to walk with more confidence and strength
Watch it below: