In a world where trends often dictate behavior, I’ve always believed in the inherent goodness of people. I held firmly to the notion that harm inflicted upon others is rarely deliberate—that mistakes, misunderstandings, or ignorance must be at the root. But life, with its unrelenting lessons, has shattered this idealism. The truth I’ve come to face is harsher: there are those who deliberately celebrate harm, particularly when they perceive their target as vulnerable.
For many women, this reality is a bitter pill to swallow. It isn’t about a single act of wrongdoing; it’s about a systemic pattern where some men, emboldened by societal constructs, believe they have a license to manipulate, deceive, and exploit. These actions aren’t born of ignorance but of entitlement—a dangerous cocktail of power and impunity.
The Role of Perception in Vulnerability
One troubling observation is the stark difference in how women are treated based on their perceived associations. When a woman is accompanied by a male—whether a partner, colleague, or
friend—she is often seen as “shielded.” In such instances, the predators among men may hesitate, not out of respect for the woman but because they perceive a barrier they’d rather not confront.
But the moment a woman stands alone, unshielded, the dynamics shift. Suddenly, she becomes a target—a “safe” choice for exploitation or harm. This mindset reveals an unsettling truth: many of these men are not deterred by morality or ethics but by fear of consequences.
Whenever a woman speaks about autonomy, agency, or her right to exist without constant judgment or interference, she risks being labeled. “Feminist,” they call her—but not in the empowering sense the term deserves. It is often hurled as an accusation, as though advocating for equality and fairness is inherently radical or threatening.
And when the tables are turned and you question this imbalance, the counter-question inevitably arises: “Aren’t you being malist?” This deflection misses the point entirely. Addressing systemic issues faced by women is not about hatred toward men—it’s about challenging harmful behaviors and outdated structures that disproportionately affect one gender. Justice and accountability are not zero-sum games.
Strategic Nonconformity: A Threat to Power
When a woman defies societal norms or rejects traditional expectations, she becomes a force to be reckoned with. But this strategic nonconformity—this act of claiming her own identity and agency—is seen as a threat by those who benefit from the status quo.
For such men, a woman’s independence is a challenge to their control, and their response is often to undermine her through deceit, exclusion, or overt harm. They are hyper-vigilant, not out of admiration for her strength, but out of fear that her defiance may inspire others.
The Fight Against Exploitation
Calling out these patterns isn’t about pitting genders against each other; it’s about addressing a pervasive injustice. Women who have experienced this firsthand know the resilience it takes to stand firm. We are not victims; we are survivors and warriors, determined to dismantle these toxic structures piece by piece.
To those men who believe in equality and respect, this is not your fight alone, but your silence is complicity. To women who feel unseen or unheard, know this: every act of defiance against exploitation strengthens our collective voice.
A Call for Accountability
The path forward demands accountability—not just from individuals but from the systems that enable such behavior. It requires dismantling the entitlement that allows some men to exploit women with impunity. It means calling out injustice, no matter how uncomfortable or inconvenient it may be.
To advocate for autonomy isn’t to align oneself against men; it is to align with fairness and dignity for all. If questioning harm and exploitation makes me a feminist, then I’ll wear the label with pride. But let it be clear: my fight isn’t against men—it’s against the toxicity that harms both women and men alike.
As a woman who has faced and fought against these dynamics, I stand firm in my belief: we are not powerless, and our collective strength will rewrite the narrative. The celebration of harm ends when we refuse to conform, when we refuse to be silenced, and when we demand the respect and equality we have always deserved.