Unfortunately, sexism still exists – and there are some examples of casual sexism you should know about. We women have made some huge leaps in the last decade – we’ve gone from not even having the vote and the right to own our own property, to being, legally speaking, on an equal footing to men and embarking on high-powered, high-flying careers. But the existence of initiatives such as the Hollaback! campaign proves that sexism hasn’t ended completely; and, more often than not, it’s at grass-roots level that we see it at its worst. So here are seven examples of casual sexism you should know about.

## 1. STREET CALLING

I have yet to meet a woman who hasn't been bothered in the street, one of the key examples of casual sexism. How many times have you been walking along, minding your own business, before being shouted at a man in a passing car, or bothered by some builders on the side of the road? It can be anything from a horn being tooted at you, to shouting things that are distinctly more unsavory.

## 2. WORK

I’m not talking about the more serious situations here, where, for example, perhaps your boss intentionally and consistently discriminates against women. I mean the more casual situations where, perhaps, your boss always chooses you to go and get the coffees in – and not your male colleague, even though he probably isn’t any more senior than you. Or, perhaps a more senior male member of staff always refers to you as ‘darling’ or ‘sweetheart.’ Yes, it can be endearing, but does it really reinforce your authority in the workplace? Is he really taking you seriously?

## 3. SEXIST JOKES

Why is it that, when it comes to comedy, all decent boundaries seem to be removed? Okay, so I understand that breaking boundaries is an integral part of comedy, and some say it can’t exist without it. But why is it that sexist jokes – nearly always directed towards women by the way – almost qualify as a genre of comedy? I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sick of those women in the kitchen jokes.

## 4. OH HER? SHE’S a WHORE

One of the things I hate more than anything is the casual use of terms that are actually extremely offensive to women. Slag, slut, whore, slapper, bitch, tart – I hear these things in conversation all the time, and, often, they aren’t even meant offensively. But I think perhaps that’s even scarier than if they were.

## 5. FEMINISTS

Feminism is a dirty word. Apparently. A concept that used to – and for me, still does – stand for a woman who wants equal rights and other opportunities for other women. And really, if that’s the meaning of the word – what normal woman wouldn’t class herself as a feminist?! Instead, it’s a word that’s become the butt of horrible jokes about hairy lesbians, and quite possibly carries more negative connotations than it does positive ones.

## 6. DOUBLE STANDARDS

I know several beautiful, intelligent women who have had one-night stands. Some of them have had several. What do I think about this? Do I think that they’re sluts (there’s that word again) because of it? Of course I don’t. I think they’re adults who engaged in an activity that had mutual benefit for both. However, would everyone agree with me? I think the answer is no. I think a significant amount of people would go for the former option – that they’re sluts, or, at best, a bit ‘loose’. But, when a man does it? Doesn’t matter how many women he sleeps with, the more the better. Because he’s a legend, right?

## 7. NIGHTLIFE