The battles over women's bodies can be won only by a revolution of the mind

The battles over women's bodies can be won only by a revolution of the mind

📖 Mona Eltahawy

🌍 Egyptian  |  👨‍💼 Journalist

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Mona Eltahawy's assertion highlights the profound importance of changing perceptions, beliefs, and deeply rooted cultural norms to achieve genuine progress in women's rights. This perspective recognizes that legal liberties or superficial reforms are insufficient if societal attitudes remain unchanged. True liberation begins within the collective consciousness; it requires dismantling long-held patriarchal beliefs and challenging societal narratives that restrict women's autonomy over their own bodies. Change of this magnitude demands a shift in attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudices—an internal revolution that ultimately manifests in policies, practices, and social interactions. For example, in many societies, laws might permit abortion or equal pay on paper, but if societal attitudes continue to stigmatize women who seek reproductive rights or assert their independence, the fight remains incomplete. The phrase underscores the necessity of education, open dialogue, and cultural transformation as foundational tools in this process. Education fosters awareness that can debunk myths, dispel misinformation, and promote gender equality from a young age. Moreover, revolutionizing the way societies see gender roles and perceptions around femininity and autonomy can foster environments where women's choices are respected and upheld without fear of social backlash. Achieving this mental revolution paves the way for legal and societal reforms to be genuinely effective and sustainable. It suggests that the ultimate way to secure freedoms for women is to address the underlying cultural and psychological barriers that perpetuate inequality, oppression, and discrimination. Only through a collective shift—a revolution of the mind—can long-term, meaningful change be realized, empowering women to fully own and control their bodies and lives.

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August 12, 2025

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