RAMALLAH, West Bank — Palestinian artist Yasmeen Mjalli will talk Nov. 29 with students at Al-Quds University in the West Bank city of Abu Dis about their experiences with sexual harassment, as part of a project called “I am not your sweetheart,” which aims to encourage women to speak out against harassment and abuse.

The meeting is the second phase of Mjalli’s project. Earlier this month, she placed a wooden table on the sidewalk of Yasser Arafat Square in Ramallah and asked women to come forward with their stories of sexual harassment. The stories she collected will be made into a book, published in English and Arabic, which will be launched in conjunction with an art exhibition.

Mjalli, born in the United States and a graduate of art history from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, moved to Ramallah a year ago. Her own experience in the West Bank city inspired her to create an art project addressing sexual harassment in the Palestinian territories. She told Al-Monitor, “I was repeatedly subjected to sexual harassment by men on the street, so I started thinking about a way to counter this issue. I have come to realize that I cannot stop sexual harassment incidents from taking place, but I can help women who have been subjected to sexual harassment raise their voices.”

The book and artwork will tell the stories of Palestinian women who have suffered sexual harassment in the streets, the workplace or public places. The book will include 200 stories and will be launched in Ramallah at a date yet to be determined. At the same time, an exhibition in Ramallah will open displaying paintings that portray the issues of harassment and abuse women in Palestine face.