Are Women Truly Supporting Women?

Steem greetings, guys from the motherland of Cameroon and welcome to my blog for another post on the question "Are Women Truly Supporting Women? This write-up is based on my experience in the field as a gender and human rights expert.

The phrase “empowered women empower women” has become a rallying cry in recent years, especially across social media platforms, boardrooms, and feminist circles. It's an inspiring sentiment when we look beyond the hashtags and slogans, but the reality is more complicated. Are women truly supporting one another, or is the idea more idealistic than realistic?

Support among women does exist; that is factual. We see it in mentorship programs, women-led businesses, grassroots movements, and advocacy for reproductive rights, equal pay, and gender equality. In recent years, we have equally witnessed a rise in networks that aim to uplift women, such as Women in Tech, and numerous nonprofit initiatives, demonstrating that collective female support can be powerful and transformative.

However, the narrative becomes problematic when we consider the silent, often overlooked dynamics that challenge the idea of universal female solidarity. I am talking about negative competition, jealousy, and lack of empathy often hinder genuine support among women. In some cases, women hold other women to a higher value than they do men, unconsciously reinforcing the very systems they aim to abolish.

The Workplace dynamics are a key example of women not supporting women. While many women champion each other’s growth, others may see successful female colleagues as threats rather than allies. This is as a result of the "scarcity mindset", which has caused some women to believe that there's only room for a few women at the top, and has only led to internal competition instead of collaboration. This is not necessarily due to the bitterness of some women, but rather the result of systemic structures that pit women against each other in male-dominated environments.

Social and cultural expectations also play an important role in women not supporting women. Women are often conditioned to compare themselves to others to be the "prettiest," the "most successful," the "best mother", and these pressures can create judgment instead of empathy. For instance, a stay-at-home mom may feel criticised by a working-class mom, and vice versa, when what’s really needed is mutual respect and understanding.

So, are women truly supporting women? From my own perspective, the answer is sometimes, but not always. Support is not just about posting quotes or celebrating achievements. It’s about intentional action, active listening, and recognising the diversity of women's experiences. It means amplifying voices that are silenced, mentoring those who are starting, and calling out toxic behaviours even when they come from other women.

Judging from my experience in the field, the ultimate goal should be to move from performative gestures to authentic, sustained support. That requires honesty, self-awareness, and the courage to unlearn societal conditioning. Only then can we create a culture where women not only support each other in theory, but in practice consistently and inclusively.

In sum, let’s not just ask “Are women supporting women?” Let’s ask, “How can we support each other better?” The future will be a better place for all if we change the narratives now. Take action now and make the world a better place.