It’s dawn. You wake up well-rested, with a genuine smile, only to see several more waving back to you. Not an ounce of jealousy, just graciousness as you take it all in. Pretty face after pretty face. Empowerment fills your bones. Men are nowhere to be found.
In this utopia, freedom is a given, not a privilege. Women roam at night without worry, wearing whatever clothes they want, without thinking twice about imminent danger. No skirt is too short, no top is cut too low, no shoulder is too exposed. Just whatever clothes make them feel beautiful, confident, and true-to-self. No keys in fists, no pepper spray ready to use, and no mini pink taser.
For the first time, you finally feel truly listened to, understood, and worry-free. Does that resemble paradise to you?
It’s difficult to imagine every incremental detail and the destined fate of what this world could truly be. Despite this, it hasn’t stopped women from dreaming of escaping to such a world This TikTok has 2 million likes) I think the question is: what do the overwhelming yeses to the presented scenario say about society at large? This also made me wonder: do societies like this exist in real life today?
I think it’s clear that this desire for an all-women society is broadly rooted in fear, with the core desire for absolute safety, freedom, and independence. I'm not saying all men are bad. In fact, I think if we completely disregard the gender as inherently evil and unredeemable, that does way more harm than good. However, it would be naive to ignore the statistics. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly 99% of perpetrators of rape and sexual violence are men. That includes assault against men as well. According to data from the FBI, men account for approximately 72.5% to 73.8% of all total arrests, roughly 78.9% to 80.1% of violent crime arrests, and about 88% to 90% of homicides globally and in the United States. This is, of course, not to say that all men are inherently evil and destined to commit crimes. However, I think it’s safe to say that, generally, women are likely to feel safer in the hands of other women rather than men.
There are also, of course, socio-cultural factors to take into account. It seems that a lot of women are honestly just fed up. With the manosphere taking charge of the algorithm, incels on the internet, and countless stories that continue to come out about women being victims of violence at the hands of men. Even just for a short amount of time, it might be nice to give women a chance to escape from all the noise.
Believe it or not, there are several land reserves in the U.S. that resemble this “No men allowed” model. They’re called Womyn’s lands. Established in the 1960s, Womyn’s lands are several acres of lesbian utopias with not a single man in sight. These communities emerged during the peak of 20th-century feminist and gay liberation movements to provide a safe space for lesbians seeking freedom from the patriarchy. These communities are very self-sufficient, with women managing all land, finances, construction, farming, and household responsibilities. There is freedom from harassment, discrimination, and stereotypical societal expectations.
Although this seems like the perfect utopia, there have been challenges along the way. Because these communities are in remote areas and have limited employment opportunities, they have faced some financial challenges. Not to mention, many of the residents are older, which poses threats to the survival and sustainability of these communities.
It’s also important to note that these communities are filled with predominantly white and middle-class individuals. Women of color have been consistently underrepresented in the feminist movement, especially in the 1960s when these communities were formed. It makes me wonder how much more exclusivity could exist in an already exclusive group.
As of 2019, the HOWL community was in danger of dying out. However, they are adapting modern techniques through social media to garner awareness about retreats and public events to keep the community alive. It seems to be working to some extent. I’ve seen a few videos regarding a Womyn’s land right here in Oregon called “We’Moon Land,” just about an hour outside of Portland.
Around the world, there are also several matriarchal societies that have been formed to combat the patriarchy and empower women’s autonomy. In Kenya, the Umoja (a Swahili word for "community") Women’s Village has been formed to protect women from harmful traditions and gender-based violence that are prevalent in surrounding communities. The key priorities are being able to provide women with safety and shelter, access to medicine and basic necessities, education and knowledge, culture as a source of income, and sustainable living.
Communities like Womyn's lands and Umoja remind us that women are more than capable of creating spaces rooted in safety, independence, and solidarity, even in the face of adversity. While these communities aren't without their flaws, they offer a glimpse into what's possible when women come together unapologetically and use their undeniable power to create change.
Although a world with only women seems like a pretty great fantasy, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the ultimate dream. What we can do now is prioritize building a world where women can experience that same freedom without having to leave. These existing communities prove that transformation is possible.
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