Sexists just can’t get over my underwear
By now you’d think men would understand the meaning of a woman’s right to live her life exactly as she chooses.
But I’m afraid that even in 2020 – with the global #metoo movement and the many women’s rights activists demanding a fairer, safer, more equal world – we still have a very long way to go.
Because a woman will still be judged by men simply because of the clothes she is wearing.
I only realised how little progress had been made in changing male attitudes when men started leering at me on my social media account.
It’s no secret that I love prancing around in my underwear on my Instagram page.
After being molested as a child, and having a visible skin disorder as well as a C-section scar, I hated everything about my body. But to feel confident and positive at 50 – and after being given some lovely underwear to advertise – I let it all out on social media.
I wanted to help others embrace their bodies and show that everyone has the absolute right to feel and look beautiful. beaut And it works. W When women see my imp imperfect body, it gives them the confidence to accept accep their own imperfections.
Many women have thanked me for
helping them the to look at themselves in their underwear and love what they see.
But what has shocked me is the number of men who feel that, just because I’m in my underwear, they have the right to harass me online.
I’ve switched my settings so that only those who follow me can comment on my posts.
But some men follow me just so they can make lewd comments and ridicule me.
I have calculated the following from the messages I get from men:
92 per cent think if you are confident enough to be seen in your undies, you must be up for sex.
Two per cent tell me that, as a Muslim woman, I will go to hell.
Two per cent send sleazy, cringeworthy compliments.
Two per cent send decent compliments.
Two per cent send explicit photos of their penises.
But here’s the really depressing and worrying truth. A study last year revealed 55 per cent of men – and 41 per cent of women – believe women are more likely to be sexually assaulted if they wear revealing clothes.
Noeline Blackwell, of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, said: “There is an assumption – not borne out by any evidence – that the way a woman dresses is likely to lead to rape or sexual assault.”
So why are women who are comfortab le with the i r bodies seen as a threat? And why is confidence and selfexpression a signal for abuse, assault, ridicule and humiliation?
The women’s empowerment movement has arrived and there is no turning back.
So I’ll continue with my body- confidence stories because it’s not me who needs to change.
And if seeing my body makes you feel uncomfortable, you need to ask yourself why – and stop getting your knickers in a twist.
Some men follow me just to make lewd comments