Adelle Onyango: If a guy keeps staring at you, stare back and start barking
By Paulette Mboga, November 19, 2025Adelle Onyango has shared an unusual but bold way she used to protect herself during a morning walk.
On Wednesday, November 19, 2024, she said that if a stranger keeps staring in a way that makes a woman feel unsafe, then staring back and barking can stop the behaviour. Adelle explained that she tried it herself and it worked, as the man stopped staring and ran off, allowing her to continue with her walk in peace.
Her statement comes at a time when many women are openly speaking about their own safety and the steps they take to protect themselves.
Adelle said, “If a guy (stranger) keeps staring at you in a manner that sets your intuition off… stare back and start barking. Tried and tested by me this morning. It works. They not only stop staring but scamper off, leaving you to continue your peaceful walk.” Her message has added to the ongoing discussion about what women face daily and the small but necessary measures they take to avoid danger in public spaces.
Ongoing GBV campaign
Adelle’s point comes at a time when women across Kenya, South Africa, and other parts of the continent are taking part in a strong campaign to end Gender-Based Violence. Many women have changed their profile pictures on social media to purple, a colour that now represents a unified call to stop GBV. What started as a local movement has turned into a continental push for safety, accountability, and justice.
The purple profile pictures are meant to show that women are tired of living in fear and want real change. The campaign also highlights that GBV is not just another statistic shared online. It is a crisis that affects families, communities, and entire nations. The purple avatars are a digital reminder that women want action, attention, and protection.
Adelle’s message fits into the conversation because it shows how women are forced to find ways, even unusual ones, to defend themselves in everyday moments. Her personal story adds weight to the ongoing campaign by showing that the fear many women feel is real, immediate, and constant.
As the GBV campaign continues to grow, messages like Adelle’s show why women are pushing for urgent solutions. They want a world where they do not have to bark just to feel safe.