A Space of Our Own?

Since I first came up with the idea for Womanship. I’ve been reflecting on the essence of what it means to be a woman and why this platform is so crucial.? Womanship’s research, “How Women Worry,” indicates that only 29% of women are 100% open and honest about their problems, even with their closest friends.? This underscores the profound need for a space like Womanship.? When I explain the concept of a safe space where women can share their worries anonymously—overcoming barriers like embarrassment and fear of judgment—it resonates strongly.? Women just get it… without question.

When discussing Womanship with men, I often hear, "But why is it just for women?" They rightfully point out that they too need support, but my approach to this business is based on personal and lived expertise.? I’m focusing on women because I have no idea what it feels like to be a man.

Similarly, I do not know what it feels like to be a white woman, a Jewish woman, or a Russian woman.? Although there are threads that connect our experiences, such as the impact of our hormone cycles and the way women encounter bias, each woman's journey is unique. In fact, I do not know what it feels like to be anyone apart from myself.? Yet, despite our differences, women worldwide share certain experiences due to societal roles and biological realities such as menstruation, childbirth, and menopause.? These experiences, though varied, highlight the importance of a platform like Womanship — a place where women can come together, support each other, and unite around our shared experiences.

The next question from men and women alike often centers around inclusivity, especially regarding transgender women.? It's a question I consider daily. In creating Womanship, my aim is to foster a supportive community where all women feel welcome.

However, it's vital to recognize that anyone identifying as a woman may share many experiences, there are also distinct challenges that cisgender (my preference here would have just been to write women) and transgender women face. In its early days, at least, the Womanship platform will not be able to provide this specialized support.

My goal is not to exclude but to focus on the lived experiences of cisgender women. This is not about diminishing the struggles of transgender individuals but about highlighting the unique journeys that women face.? Women have fought tirelessly for recognition and rights, and as the definition of what it means to be a woman evolves, discussions about gender identity become increasingly vital.

The complexity of these issues was highlighted recently in a landmark Australian court ruling where a transgender woman won a discrimination case against a women-only social media app.? This ruling touches on one of the most contentious questions today: What is a woman? The case illustrates the growing legal and societal challenges surrounding gender identity and sex-based rights.

I do not believe our biology can be overwritten by subjective, and maybe even individualistic interpretations.? I’m happy being called a woman.? So, I have to ask myself, does thinking we are something make us into that?? If so, I’m transitioning to transwealthy!

Recently, there was a proposal in the Netherlands to replace the term "mother" with "parent from whom the child was born" in the population register.? Thankfully, the plans were halted, with one politician calling the proposal "an unnecessary mistake" and noting that "the word ‘mother’ is beautiful and deserves a space."

I don’t want to be referred to as a person with a uterus, a birthing person, a menstruating person, a chest feeder, a hormone navigator, or an ovulation experiencer. These descriptions, which some believe we should use, reduce us to the biological functions our bodies perform. But being a woman is about far more than just biology; it's about the unique experiences, challenges, and strengths that shape our identity. Just as color or religion can bind communities together, so too does the shared journey of womanhood unite us in ways that transcend mere physical traits.

I believe that everyone on this earth deserves the same human rights. Interestingly, while transgender individuals make up a relatively small percentage of the population (it's generally believed that around 0.1% to 0.6% of the world's population identifies as transgender), their voices are significant and powerful. This visibility is crucial for advancing equality and understanding, yet it raises questions about the nature of womanhood and why similar debates about manhood are less prevalent. Could this disparity be rooted in societal patriarchy?

The percentages of those who identify as transgender women and men are almost the same, yet I see far less debate from women who transition to men.? Perhaps because they bring to the male world the very female trait of just wanting to be accepted and, therefore, assimilate into the male population without ‘shouting' about it as much.

Being a woman is an intrinsic part of my identity, shaped by societal norms and personal experiences.? I am proud to be a woman, despite societal challenges.

I believe that the issues faced by transgender individuals are real and valid, but they differ from those of (cisgender) women, necessitating different expertise to support parts of their journeys.

While Womanship is focused on the unique challenges and experiences of women, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive community. To be 100% clear, transgender women will be more than welcome to join the Womanship community if they wish to participate as ‘women,’ without the need for an additional 'transgender' label — just as the women who join will not be joining as Black, Chinese, or Muslim women, but simply as women.?

Our platform is a testament to the diversity and complexity of womanhood, welcoming all who identify with and support the journey of being a woman. My hope is that Womanship can be a place where all women, regardless of their journey, find understanding, support, and a sense of belonging in order to Worry less.

I’m looking forward to your thoughts, and please share, so I can ensure that the space we create is truly a safe space for those it is created for.

Photography by?Nathan Azopardi