In conversations around women’s safety and gender equality, it’s common to hear statements like, “She is someone’s wife, mother, daughter, sister.” These phrases aim to invoke empathy by connecting a woman’s worth to her relationship with others. However, this framework implies that women are valuable because of their roles in relation to others rather than on their own merits. The mindset shift from “She is someone’s…” to “She is someone; she matters” is a small but powerful step towards recognising the intrinsic worth of women. It’s an essential shift if we are to make real, enduring progress toward a society where women are truly valued and safe.
The Problem with Relational Value
Statements that emphasise women’s relationships as a way to define their worth may mean well, but they inadvertently diminish a woman’s value as an individual. When we frame a woman’s significance around her relationship to others, we reinforce the idea that her worth is derivative, only meaningful within the context of what she provides or represents to someone else. This view can lead to harmful outcomes, subtly undermining her autonomy and perpetuating gender stereotypes that fail to reflect the complexity of her life and contributions.
If we genuinely want to create safer, more inclusive environments for women, we must recognise each woman as a complete, autonomous individual who deserves respect and security simply by virtue of being human. Shifting this mindset goes beyond language—it requires us to acknowledge that every woman has a right to exist safely, free from violence, and valued for who she is.
From Relational Sympathy to Individual Empathy
Acknowledging that “she is someone; she matters” fosters a culture of individual empathy rather than situational sympathy. This mindset encourages us to see women not through a lens of dependency or relationships but as individuals with unique identities, experiences, and aspirations. When we make this shift, our policies, conversations, and approaches to women’s safety can move from being reactive to proactive.
This individual-centred empathy is critical in workplaces, communities, and legal systems where women are often viewed as an afterthought. It allows for inclusive decision-making that accounts for women as people who deserve safety and respect, regardless of their roles in relation to others.
Realigning Workplace Culture and Safety
In workplaces, this mindset shift can drive significant change. Organisations can focus on fostering environments where each woman feels valued and safe to bring her whole self to work. Women shouldn’t feel that they’re only respected because they are someone’s wife, mother, or daughter; they deserve to feel safe simply because they are individuals who matter.
Workplace policies that reflect this principle—like clear sexual harassment policies, safe reporting mechanisms, inclusive leadership practices, and a genuine commitment to closing the gender pay gap—help reinforce that women are valued as employees and individuals. This fosters an environment where women feel empowered to contribute, knowing they are respected for their skills and perspectives rather than their personal connections. Addressing the gender pay gap not only affirms equality but also demonstrates a commitment to fair and equitable treatment, ensuring that all contributions are recognised and rewarded appropriately.
Building Communities Where Women Are Valued
In community spaces, recognising “she is someone; she matters” means supporting initiatives that promote safety and respect for all women. Communities play a vital role in setting social norms, and it is here that we can foster the cultural change needed to support women’s autonomy. Safety measures, educational programs, and community engagement that emphasise women’s value as individuals can contribute to creating safer spaces where women are not seen as secondary or dependent on their relationships.
The Path Forward: Meaningful Advocacy and Policy Changes
Legislation and advocacy efforts often rely on humanising issues by emphasising familial connections, but we need to move toward a language and mindset that place value on women for who they are as individuals. Policies that address gender-based violence, workplace harassment, and social equity should be designed to reflect women’s intrinsic worth, advocating for their safety as a fundamental human right.
To bring about genuine societal change, we need everyone—employers, policymakers, and community leaders—to adopt this mindset shift. When we can all say, “She is someone; she matters,” without needing to add “…to someone else,” we will be one step closer to building a world where women are valued, respected, and safe.
Final Thoughts
By shifting our language and our mindset, we have the opportunity to create a society where women are valued as individuals and protected from harm. The phrase “She is someone; she matters” is a reminder that each woman has worth on her own and that recognising this is foundational to building a culture of safety and respect. True progress will come only when we stop viewing women through their connections and start seeing them for who they are. It’s time to make that shift—because every woman deserves to be valued, and every woman deserves to feel safe.
