Hey there, gentlemen,
I’m not here to throw shade or ignore the good that many of you contribute. I have fantastic male friends, an inspiring mentor, a caring brother, and a husband who always has my back. I’ve been helped by men in tough situations, and I’m grateful for the many good souls out there.
But let’s get real: we need your help.
Every time I turn on the news, it seems like there’s another horrifying story about a woman being attacked. Whether it’s a jogger, a girl heading to a friend’s place, or a woman just trying to get to her car, it feels like we’re not safe anywhere.
I recently came across comments on an article about victims who were taken while jogging, and it was disheartening. Some folks suggested that if women just carried weapons, we could avoid these situations—placing the onus squarely on us. If you’re one of those who thinks that way, we’ve got a lot more work to do than I initially realized.
Every day, I step out into the world with a nagging worry about my safety. I’ve been catcalled, honked at, and objectified by men from all walks of life. I’ve even walked through parking lots with my kids and had older men undressing me with their eyes. Some of you might argue, “That’s subjective,” but unless you’ve lived it, you can’t really understand. I assure you, every woman I know has experienced this.
I’ve faced harassment, unwanted advances, and even an attempted abduction when I was just a teenager. The reality is that every night I’m alone, I double-check the locks, ensure the windows are secure, and listen for strange noises. Women all over the world are doing the same—some are even getting pep talks from their partners on how to use a weapon in case of an intruder.
I read articles listing the most dangerous places for women; parking lots consistently make the cut. You know what I’ve never seen? A similar list for men. The point is not that we lack knowledge about safety; we’ve been trained since childhood to be vigilant. The real issue is this: why do we have to live in fear? It’s simply unfair.
Men, you might think we’re paranoid or that these incidents don’t occur as often as reported. I encourage you to have open conversations with the women in your lives—mothers, sisters, friends—and listen to their experiences. It might shock you, but it’ll also help you understand the injustices we face.
Once you’ve listened, it’s time for action. Talk to your fathers, brothers, colleagues, and friends about what you’ve learned. Encourage them to listen and empathize. Most importantly, stand alongside us in the fight against rape culture and victim blaming. Women deserve to live without the fear of being attacked.
This has never been about how to protect us; it’s always been about the fact that we need protection at all.
If you want to explore more about the conversation surrounding protection and support, check out some insights from our other blog posts here advertiser disclosure. For more information on fertility and at-home solutions, you might find this resource from Make A Mom valuable. And if you’re interested in pregnancy-related topics, Healthline is an excellent source.
Summary
This article calls for men to recognize the realities of rape culture and victim blaming. It emphasizes the need for men to engage in discussions with the women in their lives, listen to their experiences, and take action against these societal issues. Women shouldn’t have to live in fear, and men play a crucial role in creating change.