The phrase “Fear Women” has taken over social media waves in Uganda such that it’s now a cliche. In this article, we run down memory lane to understand where this trend began from. Stick around to the end to get a thorough dive into this rare phobia.
Table of contents
How the Fear Women trend started in Uganda
This trend can be traced back to 22nd May 2023 when a strange snail video surfaced on the internet. The video shows a lady in a spa receiving facial therapy except this time with snails crawling all over her face. According to research, it’s medically ok to put a snail on your face for wrinkles to go away. This video originally trended because it depicted how far women are willing to go to achieve beauty. However, due to too much shock from this content, the idea to fear of women came up among Ugandan Twitter influencers. Here is the snail video in case you want to watch it.
Watch: Woman uses snail for facial beauty therapy video #fearwomen
How #FearWomen went completely viral in Uganda
From then onwards, several internet users shared this video on social media with the caption “fear women”. Consequently, made the idea become a real issue such that it started appearing in several memes countrywide. Eventually, it became so common that people started using it in random conversations and even got on most ladies’ nerves. Uganda has been known for setting several trends right from the “Why are you gay video” which showed NBS journalist, Simon Kaggwa Njala interviewing a transgender woman/man right up to the recent expired courses list in Ugandan universities. Check out some of the memes on fearing women that went viral in Uganda.
What does it mean to fear women?
To fear women, also known as gynophobia or misogyny, is to experience an irrational or intense fear, aversion, or hostility towards women. It can manifest in various ways, ranging from discomfort and unease in the presence of women to actively perpetuating discrimination, prejudice, or violence against women.
Conclusively, important to note that fearing women is not a healthy or justified response. Like any form of irrational fear or prejudice, it stems from deep-seated biases, societal conditioning, personal insecurities, or negative experiences. However, it is crucial to challenge and overcome such fears and biases in order to foster equality, respect, and healthy relationships between genders.
How to lose fear for women
If you’re experiencing fear or are uncomfortable around women and would like to overcome it, here are some steps you can take:
- Recognize and acknowledge your fear: Self-awareness is the first step towards addressing any fear or bias. Reflect on why you might feel afraid or uncomfortable around women and try to identify any underlying beliefs or experiences that contribute to your fear.
- Challenge your beliefs and assumptions: Question the stereotypes, prejudices, or negative beliefs you hold about women. Educate yourself about gender equality, feminism, and the experiences of women. Engage in conversations, read books, or seek out resources that provide diverse perspectives on women’s lives.
- Examine your personal experiences: Reflect on any negative experiences or traumas that might have influenced your fear of women. Consider seeking therapy or counselling to work through these experiences and develop healthier attitudes and coping mechanisms.
- Engage in empathy and perspective-taking: Practice putting yourself in women’s shoes and try to understand their experiences, challenges, and strengths. Empathy can help you develop compassion and appreciation for women as individuals.
- Build positive relationships with women: Engage in healthy, respectful interactions with women in various settings, such as friendships, work relationships, or social activities. Focus on treating women as equals and developing genuine connections.
- Challenge societal norms and biases: Recognize and question societal expectations, stereotypes, and gender roles that contribute to fear or bias towards women. Support and advocate for gender equality and women’s rights in your personal and professional life.
- Practice active listening and open communication: Pay attention to the perspectives and experiences of women in conversations and be open to learning from them. Engage in active listening, ask questions, and seek to understand rather than make assumptions or generalizations.
- Seek support and education: Consider joining support groups, workshops, or educational programs that focus on gender issues, equality, and healthy relationships. Surrounding yourself with equal individuals can provide valuable support and encourage personal growth.
Conclusion
Remember, getting over fear and bias takes time and effort. It’s essential to approach this process with an open mind, humility, and a commitment to personal growth and equality.
