Podcast episode: My Whistle, My Voice

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• According to a 2024 report by the World Health Organization, 30% of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Lella Miskir is an Ethiopian feminist and Tiktoker whose online campaign #MyWhistleMyVoice helps women fight against gender-based violence and harassment.
• Lella’s campaign empowers women in Ethiopia but has also resulted in her receiving death threats.
• This episode is produced by Radio Workshop, a non-profit organization that trains youth as reporters in communities across Africa.

Lella Miskir was ten years old when the harassment began. It was a man she knew in her neighborhood, and from that moment, Lella started arming herself with a walking stick every time she left the house.

“The minute I step out of my house, I’m on high alert. Even in my own neighborhood, I’m just uncomfortable. But the further I am away from my door, then the more uncomfortable I am.” – Lella Miskir

Lella’s need for protection when going outside is not unique. A 2024 report from the World Health Organisation calls violence against women a serious global concern.

My Whistle My Voice, the podcast episode about Lella Miskir and her online campaign, was produced by Radio Workshop, a non-profit that works with youth reporters across Africa to broadcast on local radio and create podcasts. Radio Workshop provides the tools and teaches the skills, and youth bring their creativity, experience, and passion for tackling the issues that matter to them and their communities. Radio Workshop’s documentary-style podcast has won numerous awards, including Best Standalone Documentary from the International Documentary Association in 2023 and a Signal Award in 2024.

The story was reported by Munira Kaoneka, who has her own podcast in Tanzania called the Kaya Sessions. Munira conducts interviews in a thoughtful, sensitive way, where one can hear the respect she has for others.

Radio Workshop Editorial Director noted that “Munira has an emotional intelligence that allows people to feel open up and empowered as they speak through their darkest moments. I knew Lella’s story needed that kind of care, and Munira would just get it. They produced a moving, feminist war cry that has people, women especially, ready to fight again for an end to gender-based violence. And that’s really powerful because the struggle is far from over.”

In response to the ongoing harassment she experienced, Lella started an online campaign called #MyWhistleMyVoice with two fellow activists, Betelehem Akalework and Jordin Bezabih. The campaign, which started on Lella’s TikTok, encourages women to blow a whistle every time a man catcalls them, acts inappropriately, or assaults a woman on the street. The idea is that if blowing the whistle doesn’t scare the offender off, it will draw attention to what’s going on.

“I just feel the power of making a scene is so baller and it’s so feminine for some reason to go berserk and just be a wild woman.” – Lella Miskir 

The #MyWhistleMyVoice campaign launched in November 2023 during 16 Days of Activism and the video got over 20 million views in its first six months. The red whistle gives women confidence and hope. So far, about 400 whistles have been distributed and Lella’s TikTok account has grown to over 85,000 followers.

“We’re no longer numbed out. We’re no longer normalizing this [cat-calling] and it’s no longer okay.” – Lella Miskir

Lella’s TikTok growth led to her getting invited for interviews on National Television, but it’s also resulted in severe backlash online. Lella’s received a lot of hate comments, especially from men, where they attack her appearance and her intellect, and shame her for being unmarried. She’s even received death threats. According to the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association, femicide is prevalent in Ethiopia, but severely underreported. Although Lella is being cautious and keeping a low profile, she says the hate and threats won’t stop her from doing her work.

“If I can’t use my voice, I have nothing to do here. This is what it takes, you know? We did not get here because no woman was harmed in the process of liberation.” – Lella Miskir

If you’d like to keep up with her and follow the campaign, you can follow her on TikTok and Instagram.

This episode would not have been possible without the support of Luminate, the Constitutionalism Fund, the Shin Creek Trust, the Anne Levy Charitable Trust, SCP Foundation, and Pam and Bill Michaelcheck.

Listen to My Whistle My Voice on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

To find out more about Radio Workshop, visit radioworkshop.org or follow us on social media: @radioworkshop on Instagram and Radio Workshop on Facebook and LinkedIn.