Are We So Focused on Empowering Women That We’re Forgetting the Pain of Men?
As someone who deeply believes in equality, this is a topic I’ve been wrestling with for a while. It’s not easy to talk about because it feels like navigating a tightrope. But here goes—because I believe it’s a conversation worth having.
For the last few decades, the world has rightly focused on women’s empowerment. We’ve seen incredible progress. From shattering glass ceilings to dismantling deeply-rooted biases, women’s voices are being heard louder and clearer than ever before. And this is important. In fact, it's crucial. I stand behind every effort to create a fairer, more equitable world for women.
But in the middle of all this, I can’t help but ask: Are we leaving men behind?
Now, I know what you might be thinking: "Men have had privilege for centuries. They don’t need empowerment." And at first glance, that seems true. But privilege doesn’t mean freedom from pain. It doesn’t mean freedom from struggle. It doesn’t mean freedom from expectations that suffocate.
I’ve seen it firsthand in my own life and in the lives of men around me. The weight they carry is often silent, invisible. We’ve been conditioned to expect men to be strong, stoic, and resilient—to the point that acknowledging their pain feels like weakness. They are told to suppress their emotions, to be providers, to never falter. And when they do falter (as all humans inevitably do), they’re often met with shame or indifference.
In our pursuit of women’s empowerment, have we built a culture where men feel they can’t ask for help? Where they feel excluded from discussions of empowerment and support?
I think about the men who are struggling with mental health, but who are less likely to reach out for help because society tells them they should be “man enough” to handle it alone. I think about the fathers who are ridiculed for taking paternity leave or being hands-on parents because “that’s a mother’s role.” I think about the young boys who are told to “stop crying” or “man up” when they express their emotions.
These are not small things. These are messages that plant seeds of isolation, self-doubt, and shame that can grow into deeper struggles later in life. Men, too, are battling anxiety, depression, emotional isolation, and societal expectations that tell them they have to be everything to everyone while ignoring their own needs.
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I’m not writing this to detract from women’s empowerment. I believe in it wholeheartedly, and I know we have a long way to go before true equality is achieved. But I also believe that empowerment isn’t a competition. We don’t have to choose between uplifting women and supporting men. Both are necessary. Both are part of building a balanced, compassionate world.
Let’s be clear: Women’s rights and men’s struggles are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are deeply intertwined. When we create a society where men are encouraged to express vulnerability, to seek help, to be more than just providers and protectors, we’re also creating healthier relationships, healthier families, and healthier workplaces.
True empowerment is inclusive. It means lifting everyone. It means recognizing that men need safe spaces to express their struggles just as much as women do. It means understanding that emotional pain doesn’t discriminate by gender. It means that we all benefit when both men and women are empowered to live authentically and freely.
So, here’s my question for all of you: Are we doing enough for everyone in this conversation about empowerment? Are we making sure men feel seen, heard, and supported too?
I don’t have all the answers. But I know this: If we want to create a world that truly values equality, we need to make space for the voices and struggles of everyone.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. This is a conversation I believe we need to have—with openness, empathy, and respect. Let’s talk about a world where everyone is lifted up. 💬
#Empowerment #GenderEquality #MenAndWomen #MentalHealth #OpenConversation
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|Management Faculty | Marketing Practitioner | IIM-Indore| Researcher- Consumer Behaviour| UGC- NET | Mentor | Accredation| Industry Interface connect| Change Agent for Youth| Author of a Poetry Book (Qurbatein) |
2wGreat Thoughts !! I absolutely Second all