Don’t call me piggy

Women’s self-defence starts with a culture where men show respect

Women’s self-defence isn’t just physical. It starts with a culture where men show respect, reinforce safety, and reject demeaning behaviour.

Self-defence is often discussed in terms of techniques, awareness, and physical preparedness. But there’s an essential piece that’s too often ignored: women’s self-defence begins with the culture men create. When men promote respect — through their words, behaviour, and everyday interactions — they help build a world where women feel safer, stronger, and more empowered.

This issue becomes painfully visible when powerful men use demeaning language toward women. One recent example is when Donald Trump, the most powerful man, calling a female reporter “piggy.” Whether you follow politics or not, the effect is the same: when a man publicly belittles a woman, he signals to other men that disrespect is acceptable. And disrespect is always the first crack in a woman’s sense of safety.

When Men Disrespect Women, Threats Rise — Not Just Words

Demeaning language may seem small, but it shapes the environment women live in. Women notice when men talk over them, insult them, or reduce them to stereotypes. These behaviours reinforce a culture where women must be constantly on guard.

Respect works the opposite way. When men treat women with dignity, listen to them, and speak to them as equals, they reduce tension, fear, and vulnerability. They help build an environment where women aren’t forced into defensive mode every day.

Respect Strengthens Women’s Self-Defence

Women’s self-defence isn’t only about fighting back. It’s about feeling safe moving through the world. When men actively promote respect women feel more confident. They are less likely to face intimidation or verbal aggression. The overall risk of escalation decreases. Men play a crucial role — because women shouldn’t have to defend themselves from the men around them.

For women’s self-defence to truly work, men must take responsibility for the environment they help shape. And Trump’s “piggy” comment is a reminder of how damaging disrespect can be when it comes from someone with influence. When men choose to speak with dignity — especially those in leadership — they contribute to a culture where women are safer, more confident, and less burdened by the need to constantly defend themselves.