BLOG IV: Women Only Spaces

 I think women only spaces are appropriate. Think of it this way “every space is a man's space”, our society is structured in a way that gives men an imbalance of power, making them the main benefactor. 

An argument for women only spaces is based on the unfortunate reality that a vast amount of women feel unsafe around men. Some people believe that men are the “protectors” of society, however, others view men as “danger”. The fact that there are  women who feel unsafe to be alone in an elevator, hallway, or passing by a group of strange men, says a lot about the society we live in and about how people raise their sons. It is important to point this out because these polar ideas of men are one of the results of creating a society that is geared towards men. It is natural for women to feel some type of negative energy towards another human being that institutionally and culturally  has the upper-hand.

With all that said, women only spaces allow women to have the intimacy of being with other women who understand what it is like to be a woman in this society. Women only spaces provide the opportunity to talk about issues that men do not understand. These spaces operate like a spiritual oasis for women to feel safe and to heal. A real ally to women would understand and respect the need for women to have their own space in which they can discuss their reality.

 This idea of women only spaces is not meant to restrict and/or discriminate against anyone who does not fit the “framework of a woman”. In the textbook,  Beyond the Binary, Shannon Dea writes how separatist feminist regard woman only spaces as “a solution to the patriarchal structure of mainstream society” ( Dea, 111). I do not necessarily agree with his idea. Women only spaces are meant for women to support each other and to offer guidance, not for women to escape the patriarchy and 100% isolate themselves from society. I do not think it is a right move for women to avoid all interaction with men or women who have not separated themselves from men. This ideology creates tension between society and provides no plan for equity in coexisting. Currently there are women only spaces that welcome trans people, but others do not. There is no reason to limit these spaces to cis-gender women only. If anything transgender women experience even more discrimination. Also based on the framework of intersectionality, there is no such thing as a specific identity that makes one a “real woman”. That being said women who identify themselves as women should be allowed in these women only spaces. 

Photo Source: Salman Sofar