Women's Solidarity

Once again, I read an outraged comment: "Where is women's solidarity?" and I thought, "Where is it really?" and "What is it anyway?" I know the solidarity of the workers. And the women's day on March 8 appeared as a day of solidarity of women in the struggle for women's rights and emancipation. But the comment doesn't seem to be quite about that. Although…

Speaking about the topic of women's solidarity, we are talking about relationships between women, often between strangers. The theme of women's solidarity is like a complex puzzle consisting of many interrelated elements: support, competition, personal beliefs and public expectations. The question of whether it really exists causes heated discussions, especially when it comes to difficult and painful situations. For example, when a woman takes her husband away from the family. This sensitive context will allow us to consider the versatility of women's solidarity and understand what it represents. Ideally, women's solidarity is a sense of community and support between women when they have similar life experiences, overcome common problems, and strive for equality. This is not a blind acceptance of any position taken by a woman, but rather a willingness for empathy, mutual help and respect, even in the presence of disagreements. As well as the recognition that women often face the same social and gender issues.

"She took her husband away from the family": a test of strength

The comments I wrote about at the very beginning are about this. It is precisely situations where a woman causes the breakdown of a family that put the concept of women's solidarity to the test. Reactions range from furious condemnation to silent incomprehension. Often, society puts all the blame on the "estranged woman", ignoring the responsibility of the man who, in fact, decided to leave the family. This is where the most difficult elements of the puzzle come into play. On the one hand, the instinctive protection of "one's own" is triggered – a wife, mother, friend, just a woman experiencing pain and betrayal. Naturally, there is a desire to support her, express sympathy and condemn the actions that caused her suffering. On the other hand, voices calling for a more objective view of the situation are becoming louder. After all, often the so-called estranged woman hides a woman who herself may be a victim of deception, manipulation, or simply unhappy in her own relationship. Judging without trying to understand the motives and circumstances can be unfair and will only make the situation worse. Female solidarity in such a story is understood as the unconditional acceptance of the prohibition "do not covet." Or covet, but do not encroach on the boundaries of someone else's family.

Arguments "against" solidarity with a "separatist" in such situations:

- Violation of moral principles. Many people believe that the destruction of a family is an unacceptable act, contrary to generally accepted moral norms, and therefore solidarity with a woman who acted in this way is impossible.

- Empathy for the injured party. The pain and suffering of a woman who has lost her husband evokes a natural empathy that overshadows any possible arguments in favor of a "separation woman." - Fear and distrust. The fear of being in a similar situation makes some women distance themselves from the "culprit," fearing that the same thing could happen to them.

The arguments for the need for a broader view: - Removing stigma and condemnation. The endless condemnation of the "estranged woman" only aggravates the situation and does not allow us to see the deeper reasons that led to the breakup of the relationship. - Understanding motivation. Trying to understand the motives of a woman who has entered into a relationship with a married man can help avoid similar situations in the future. - Support in a difficult situation. Sometimes a woman caught in the middle of a scandal needs support and help herself, especially if she is being bullied and condemned. So is female solidarity appropriate in this difficult situation? And what kind of solidarity — with whom and with whom? There is no definite answer. In this case, solidarity does not manifest itself in automatic support, but in a conscious choice – to try to understand what is happening more deeply, not to label and provide support to those who need it, regardless of which side of the barricades they find themselves on. True female solidarity does not consist in justifying certain offenses, but in creating a space for honest and open dialogue, where every woman can be heard and understood, even if her choice seems wrong to us. It's a call for empathy, compassion, and respect, when women can help each other instead of competing and judging.

Everyone decides for themselves how to react to such situations. But it is important to remember that sweeping condemnation will not solve the problem, but will only worsen it. The true power of women's solidarity is shown in the ability to look at the world broadly, with empathy and a desire for understanding, even in the most difficult and contradictory situations.