What Would Women Do If Men Left Earth for 24 Hours?

by Adena M'lynn

A few years ago I read an article and the subsequent discussions on Twitter about the hypothetical scenario of a world without men for 24 hours, my perspective was profoundly deepened after a personal and harrowing incident. A friend of mine became the victim of a violent attack by a gang of young men while she was simply walking to her car after a long day's work. This brutal encounter starkly highlighted the ongoing reality many women face, underscoring the discussions about safety, freedom, and the longing for a world where walking alone does not come with risks of violence. Returning to an article I read a few years ago, and the voices shared online, I find myself reflecting not just on a hypothetical question, but on the urgent need for societal change and the importance of fostering a safe environment for all.

 

In September 2020, a thought-provoking article from "Voices" captured the imaginations of thousands, sparking a viral conversation on social media about a hypothetical situation: What would women do if men left Earth for 24 hours? The responses, varied and vibrant, shed light on a reality many women navigate daily – the underlying fear and tension of simply walking outside, especially at night.

 

The seed of this global discussion was planted by a TikTok post, which was later amplified by a Twitter user known as Veronica, a 21-year-old whose repost of the thread attracted over 347,000 likes and hundreds of comments. The overwhelming consensus among the women who responded? The freedom to walk around at night without fear.

 

This desire for unbridled freedom speaks volumes about the current state of safety for women in public spaces. It's not merely about the act of walking or running at night; it's about the ability to exist freely in the world without the constant, nagging fear of violence. This fear is not unfounded; it is rooted in the stark reality that women often face threats to their safety when alone, at any time of the day.

 

The psychological toll this fear takes on women's bodies and minds cannot be overstated. Constant vigilance, the need to always be aware of one's surroundings, and the stress of potential danger can lead to a heightened state of anxiety, impacting mental and physical health. The freedom to move without this burden, even hypothetically, is a profound statement on the universal longing for safety and equality.

 

Responses to Veronica's tweet vividly illustrate these sentiments. One person expressed a simple yet profound wish: to "run around at night while blasting music into my headphones." Another shared the desire to "ride bikes with my best friend at night without our guy friends having to be there for safety, wearing whatever I want." And another person yearned for the independence to "take a moped and drive around in a big city by myself."

 

These responses are more than just whimsical daydreams; they are a call to action. They highlight the urgent need for societal changes to ensure that all individuals, regardless of gender, can feel safe and free in public spaces. The ability to walk freely at night should not be a luxury or a hypothetical scenario but a basic right.

 

As we reflect on the viral conversation sparked by the "Voices" article and the outpouring of responses it elicited, it becomes clear that this hypothetical question is not just about the absence of men for 24 hours. It's about envisioning a world where the fear of violence does not dictate how and when women can occupy public spaces. It's a call for empathy, understanding, and, most importantly, action towards creating safer, more inclusive communities for everyone.