#MenAreTrash hashtag sparks widespread debate and outrage on Maldivian twitter
The polarising hashtag caused an uproar and week long drama across the Maldivian twitterverse as tweeps debated the controversial topic. Are men trash? Are men trash, but is the wording wrong? Have people who say men are trash actually not met enough men who are not trash? Are women responsible for the men in their life being trash? Can they simply just filter them out? All this and more below. This is of course just a taste. I also did not include some of the nastier stuff from obvious troll accounts.
May 25th - Day One
It all started with this tweet:
(most) Men are trash.
— mishya. 🥀宓实 (@Meeshyeah) May 25, 2018
That’s it. That’s the tweet.
Which instantly started backlash from the (Most) Men (You Know) Are Trash camp.
This group seemed to imply that most men were in fact not trash, and that it was more of an issue of who you knew.
(most) men (you know) are trash
— Haicko (@haesham) May 25, 2018
That's it. I corrected your tweet. https://t.co/Kmdzva56Gi
Today on mvtwitter
— Haicko (@haesham) May 25, 2018
It has been decided that about 51% of the world's population (roughly 3.6 billion people) are trash based on I don't know what exactly.
The worst “injustice” that men in Dhivehi society face turns out to be mean comments on Twitter. Let’s all have a moment of silence for our brave hero here. https://t.co/v220Gaw0T0
— Kanbaafaanu ❓🎈 (@Kanbaafaanu) May 25, 2018
A woman also takes the opportunity to defend the men in their life
This causes debate and drama to occur over multiple days, some of which is detailed below
I cease to understand this whole concept of “equality and feminism” that some girls talk about. Everything guys do become things they have to criticise and get butt hurt about. And the whole girl power thing from women talk shit about other women is a joke 🙄🤦♀️ pic.twitter.com/wXnHny0qhB
— SanoO (@SanooSanu) May 25, 2018
Could you elaborate on what you’d like to know about equality and feminism and the things guys do that women get butthurt over, please? Maybe I and a few of the feminists on twitter could provide some input that might clear up any misunderstandings.
— Aryj (@Arrryj) May 26, 2018
57 likes.... all the women who liked this tweet can join the “not all men are trash” party. Y’all belong in the trash with the rest of them https://t.co/3uSE1I06dF
— nukki. (@auxiliarity) May 26, 2018
That is a little harsh and offensive. I don’t see the need to be so defensive about one simple truth. Which is that not every woman understands feminism. Or what it stands for.
— SanoO (@SanooSanu) May 26, 2018
I think you’re the one who doesn’t understand feminism https://t.co/0NEPt8HKRI
— nukki. (@auxiliarity) May 26, 2018
I really think you don’t understand what feminism is. It is equal opportunity, gender equality. Not hating on men or not separating a whole gender based on the policy makers and some men who don’t support women. It is not fair on the men who have been fighting for women’s rights. https://t.co/hceUzGpL4g
— SanoO (@SanooSanu) May 26, 2018
Why do you care so much about men? Please... men have abused and murdered women for rejecting them. If you call yourself a feminist, and if you think that feminism = hating men, you’re not a feminist at all. Don’t you fucking tell me I don’t understand. https://t.co/0XCnnJNLQr
— nukki. (@auxiliarity) May 26, 2018
Wow, so much for feminism and empowering women. Looks more like you have taken an oath to trash talk men for the rest of your life. @SanooSanu Please don’t waste your time and energy on this, she surely has no clue of what she is talking about.
— Sadhs (@SadhFahym) May 26, 2018
That is exactly what i am trying to say. Feminism isn’t supposed to be hating on men. But having the right to do the things men do. Having the same opportunities they do. Gender Equality. Please read up on feminism. I don’t think you understand the term very well
— SanoO (@SanooSanu) May 26, 2018
Again, there is no need for you to be rude. Because my father was an amazing man. My brothers, my friends they are all empowering women.Yes men have done that. And i dislike the men as much as anyone. But that is like saying all muslims are murderers. Or all Germans are Nazis. https://t.co/AClROhDimI
— SanoO (@SanooSanu) May 26, 2018
Generalizations lead you down a slippery path and empowers the same stereotypes we are trying to break out of. 👆 https://t.co/s9W79lPy2B
— kaaku (@Nazaaaaal) May 27, 2018
Here’s your obligatory #NotAllMen tweet but avoiding the words “NOT ALL MEN” https://t.co/OTn0wDPAEa
— Zara Fayaz 🎈❓ (@Zara_Fayaz) May 27, 2018
Excuse you? I don't deal in absolutes. Again, as I've said there is a slippery path.
— kaaku (@Nazaaaaal) May 27, 2018
All men = trash
All white people = rascist
All addu people = foni
Etc etc.
All fallacies.
It’s okay for women to throw shade at men as long as it fits their victim card. Give me a break, just cause a mother hits a child doesn’t mean all mothers hit their children. Your generalisations doesn’t help anyone, in fact it makes things worse for everyone!
— Ahmed Jameel (@AhmedJa09712412) May 27, 2018
30 to 50 women a month getting beaten up isn't enough for Maldivians to wonder what the fuck is going on? During Ramadan even? Are you insane? These statistics go back an entire year, it is NOT normal for a ratio of 24 abused women to 1 man every month.
— Athoof (@AthoofRiyaz) May 27, 2018
Here's the obligatory enraged social justice warrior tweet that creates more polarization without contributing meaningfully to the discussion. https://t.co/QRW6dLu1dk
— kaaku (@Nazaaaaal) May 27, 2018
#NotAllMen has kind of become a cornerstone argument tactic that we've seen become popular and very much a moot point like the post suggests. This defensive tactic is used whether all men, some men, or one man is brought up. we're not talking about men who wouldn't hurt us. https://t.co/hu6zYl5s5t
— fine (@fainanfaseeh) May 27, 2018
"Generalizations lead you down a slippery slope"? You can't equate discussing how men oppress women to the mistreatment or muslims or jews. Males in general (although they can belong to minorities) are not an oppressed minority, no matter how big your victim complex is
— fine (@fainanfaseeh) May 27, 2018
The same goes to all women in Maldives. It’s snowflakes like you who need someone to blame everything for cause it’s never your own fault. Majority of the women in Maldives aren’t oppressed nor are they denied equality!
— Ahmed Jameel (@AhmedJa09712412) May 27, 2018
May 26th - Day Two
One tweep found the backlash amusing
It's cute how butthurt men are when someone says 'men are trash'
— D (@dheee_13) May 25, 2018
Another thought the whole thing was an issue of filtering out the trash
So many women saying “men are trash” on my timeline.. Maybe it’s time to rethink the men you have in your life?
— Rysh🎈 (@ryyyshh) May 26, 2018
On that note, cheers to the incredible men I have in mine. 🥂🤗
This caused people to respond with some obvious truths
The men in your life who are kind and wonderful may not be kind and wonderful to women they meet or see on the streets. Every street harasser, rapist , or even a murderer is nice and kind and wonderful to someone.
— Pointillist (@mom_hattan) May 26, 2018
And sometimes you don't get to choose who comes into your life. There are exceptions to every circumstance. Sometimes it's not the stranger we should worry about. It could even be a family member. That being said, it's great that you've got wonderful men in your life. Cheers.
— Nashwa Saeed (@nutwa) May 26, 2018
Cause we can pick and choose the men in our lives right? Like some girls just choose to have sexist family members or get rid of them as we please. It’s not just about men that play a role in our lives man...just... https://t.co/q1zGMbfk7K
— Marin Hussain (@Kambaidhi) May 26, 2018
We don’t always get to choose the men that come into our life. I don’t choose to get harassed on a daily basis. https://t.co/qYwxtv90hK
— Zara Fayaz 🎈❓ (@Zara_Fayaz) May 26, 2018
One woman shared their experience of how they learned about feminism
From a very small age, I have always said to myself ‘if I were I boy, I’d be allowed to do this and that’ ‘I’d be able to have this and that’. Because from a very small age the society has set certain rules for us girls. We all know this part right?
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
I have always considered myself as someone who supports gender equality and for the longest period I have thought feminists were man haters. My sister (a very proud feminist) would sometimes try to explain that equality and feminism is basically the same thing.
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
But all I heard was ‘label yourself’ (which wasn’t what she was saying) which I saw as a huge commitment because I can’t side with this if there are people who hate men and do other shit in the name of feminism, duh.
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
Also for some reason the whole ‘feminist’ movement seemed super aggressive.
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
I was curious yet stubborn.
‘Why call it ‘feminism’ if it’s asking for equality. Why is everything an issue? Why are you hating the men?’ These questions always came up.
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
Then something happened and I figured it’s time for serious research/homework.
1. Why is it called ‘feminism’ when it’s about equality?
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
Because women are the underprivileged gender here and feminism is about advocating for the rights of the women so that we can have equal rights as men
We want equality. But in order to get equality we must first admit that women are subjected to discrimination basically every single day for centuries. How can we achieve equality and move forward if we ignore this vital fact and act as if it’s nothing?
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
2.Why’s everything an issue?(why does everything turn into a debate about equality?)
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
Everything is and everything’s not an issue. Inequality is a major misstep in our societal structure.A very deep rooted one which has been going on for centuries. So why avoid talking about it?
2.Why’s everything an issue?(why does everything turn into a debate about equality?)
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
Everything is and everything’s not an issue. Inequality is a major misstep in our societal structure.A very deep rooted one which has been going on for centuries. So why avoid talking about it?
3. Why are you hating men?
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
Let’s talk about ‘all men are trash’ here. They are not.
But hey, there are times that shit makes us say ‘I hate everyone’ ‘I hate people’. We know that they’ve met a couple of bad people, but they don’t really mean it as an insult to genuinely nice people out there. Maybe they just havnt met them yet I guess.
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
So do feminists hate men? No, we don’t. Why should we? We don’t see us as a superior gender. We just want to shine bright with the men. We want the same recognition as the men.
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
Anyway, this is why I call myself a feminist. And I feel like this is pretty much the essence of feminism, if not egh
— Afa Rameez (@Afarameez) May 26, 2018
Another explained what feminism means to them
It is so hard for some to understand just how marginalized some groups of people are in the society. Fighting for equality might mean fighting for these specific groups of people more than the others, and acknowledging it MORE. (1/6)
— Suma Moosa Latheef (@ssumaa_) May 26, 2018
It DOES NOT mean they are treating this group as inferior and superior amongst others, it DOES NOT mean they are invalidating the issues faced by the other groups. It means that they have to do MORE & fight for these groups MORE, simply in order to create an equality ground (2/6)
— Suma Moosa Latheef (@ssumaa_) May 26, 2018
The basic idea of feminism is gender equality; believing that men & women should be equal. However, it is usually based on the grounds of advocating women’s rights, cause even if YOU might have not faced it; the truth is that women are and have been the marginalized group (3/6)
— Suma Moosa Latheef (@ssumaa_) May 26, 2018
It’s not women dominating over men, or being superior. It’s fighting for the same rights as them. ‘Women have suffered with social & political oppressions for centuries & although we have come a very long way, there are still so many injustices which still need addressing’ (4/6)
— Suma Moosa Latheef (@ssumaa_) May 26, 2018
‘Male supremacy, women & the vote, gender pay gap, child/forced marriage, prohibited from driving, barred from getting an education, clothing requirements’ - just some issues faced by women till today. (5/6)
— Suma Moosa Latheef (@ssumaa_) May 26, 2018
Please don’t be misinformed about this. This is an important issue, an important movement, and today we are truly seeing the difference that these movements have made on the lives of so many and hopefully will continue doing so. (6/6) pic.twitter.com/6UMTh0uB7P
— Suma Moosa Latheef (@ssumaa_) May 26, 2018
May 27th - Day Three
One tweep asked men to listen
Ok #MenAreTrash
— Zilvo (@Zilvow) May 27, 2018
I, as a maldivian male acknowledge why this is a thing. If your first reaction is your ego and yourself, fix it. Think WHY. ASK WHY.
Ask your MOTHER, your SISTER, your female relatives, your female friends. The constant harassment and oppression. And LISTEN.
This prompted a man to ask if the hashtag was creating more division
I, as a Maldivian male acknowledge why this is a thing. But how are we solving the underlying problem though?
— Kazimir (@cpt_kalashnikov) May 28, 2018
From what I have seen, #MenAreTrash movement caused a lot of division and enmity. You see, counter-degradation does not solve the problem, it creates problems.
It hasn't created any divisions, it has exposed the ones that have been there all along. What this tag has done is not escalation, because nothing has changed , it's only made complacent and ignorant men uncomfortable enough to care for once.
— Athoof (@AthoofRiyaz) May 28, 2018
Pretty sure I've seen enough arguments between men and women, men and men and women and women. In my dictionary, that is called division.
— Kazimir (@cpt_kalashnikov) May 28, 2018
A lot has changed over the years and we keep on making change. Decades ago, women were treated like property, made child brides and a lot -
Another reflected on gender roles during Ramadan (or Roadha mas in Dhivehi)
Ramadan is when we women come home from work and cook while the men come home and take a rest till breakfast. We have to get up while breaking fast because these men cant pour water by themselves :)) or cant get a spoon from the kitchen. the list goes on really. https://t.co/Jah3jVBJ6F
— D (@dheee_13) May 27, 2018
Some tweeps reflected on the fragility of the male ego
Fragility of the male ego and centrist argument all over twitter today regarding this instead of understanding where the phrase #MenAreTrash comes from. It is a justified reaction to oppression. We don’t need to throw in a #NotAllMen in there too. Please educate yourself Nazaal.
— Zara Fayaz 🎈❓ (@Zara_Fayaz) May 27, 2018
Pictured here is one of the most fragile things in existence: a snowflake
— insaan🎈❔ (@pikomonster) May 27, 2018
You touch it, you destroy it.
You blow on it, it melts.
It touches the ground, it ceases to be.
However, even snowflakes have been found to be stronger than THE MOST fragile thing ever found:
The male ego pic.twitter.com/w7ky1mhu5p
One man took it upon himself to sort the trash
Different types of Maldivian men. A thread:
— ûšęfül.ïdîōt🎈 (@useful0idiot) May 27, 2018
1. Household trash: your generic man. Does nothing special. Hangs around the house all day. Lazy. Judging.
2. Hazardous trash: the nasty toxic men. Taints everything they touch. Emotional & physical abusers, and world class assholes.
3. Recyclable trash: neither here nor there. Goes from one argument to the next.
— ûšęfül.ïdîōt🎈 (@useful0idiot) May 27, 2018
4. Biodegradable trash: fragile ego. DO. NOT. OFFEND.
5. Construction and demolition trash: the muscle heads. Testosterone levels are off the charts! The epitome of everything masculine.
A man shared an account of an incident that he witnessed
Last night was having a coffee, suddenly heard a loud crashing sound. Went to balcony of first floor and saw a guy and GN on the ground. Then heard a girl crying. She was sitting on the road about 20ft from the cycle. She was crying holding her leg. Many people gathered. None
— ℹ🅱🅱📧 (@the_ibbe) May 27, 2018
helped her. All were just looking at her. One of the man entered a nearby house and 2 women came. They helped her to her feet. Girl still crying, supporting her hands around the women walked into the house. There were more than 10 men. None helped the girl. Yes #MenAreTrash
— ℹ🅱🅱📧 (@the_ibbe) May 27, 2018
Another man wondered if the whole thing was a ploy for attention
Or they could just add that missing word just for the sake of accuracy.. Now how hard is that? Or is their real intention just to get more attention and not to really make anything right?
— އިޔާދު (@mega_iyad) May 27, 2018
Good men need not defend themselves saying not all men, because they have nothing to prove and they understand where women are coming from and don't mean all. To make it right men need to acknowledge the problems women face and not be offended by a missed word
— Isha 🎈❓ (@ish_aa) May 27, 2018
Yet another man insisted that there was no gender based discrimination in the Maldives, this time using the First Lady Madam Faathun simply existing as an example
....this forreal? https://t.co/3Wvw6seVij
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
Inside a long thread full of drama, one man decides that inequality doesn't exist in the Maldives
In the Maldives, all women have the same level of access to health care, education. All women can vote, work in the parliament, drive, eat where they want. So where is the inequality ??
— Ahmed Jameel (@AhmedJa09712412) May 27, 2018
This sparks off even more debate, and many women and men share their experiences.
"All women have same level of access to education"? Did you look at how many women have to stay at home once they get a kid cox there is nobody to look after them and not enough daycare available? Did you look into the fact that some parents refuse to educate their
— Aishath Iyadh (@Aishath_Iyadh) May 27, 2018
Daughters beyond secondary school because "meehakaa ineema onnan jeheynee hama geyga. Dhen keehkuran beykaaru haradhu thakeh kohgen mathee faas thakeh nagaakah"? Yup. It still happens here. Get your facts straight.
— Aishath Iyadh (@Aishath_Iyadh) May 27, 2018
Rough translation of the text in quotes "When you marry someone you should just stay at home. Why should you frivolously spend on getting higher qualifications?"
Also in Maldives. Little girls as young as 7 are obligated to do housework and tend to lag behind on school work because "priorities". In workplaces, women's voices are not heard or taken seriously. Jobs are prioritized for men, and if he can't do it. A woman must for half pay.
— Yumna Waheed 🎈❓ (@YuAeKito) May 28, 2018
the half pay thing actually happened to someone I know. Based on her gender, was offered only HALF the pay for the same job. https://t.co/RtCCV7zC7V
— Zara Fayaz 🎈❓ (@Zara_Fayaz) May 28, 2018
This one's a serious and persistent struggle in the islands especially, and it's hard to fight the parents' reasoning because the schools there often don't go beyond secondary anyways.. the system is failing women of all ages.
— Athoof (@AthoofRiyaz) May 27, 2018
Not having someone to look after their offspring has nothing to do with equality. It’s their own choice to get a child before competing their desired level of education. Later difficulties came as a consequence of their own life choices. Inconvenience doesn’t mean inequality
— Ahmed Jameel (@AhmedJa09712412) May 27, 2018
Societal pressure is a thing. If a man can continue his studies after getting a child, with no shit thrown his way about how he is “abandoning his family” and “neglecting his child in need” - then a woman should be able to do so as well.
— Papu (@shafrashafeeq) May 27, 2018
Do you know of a single man who got asked
— Shal❓🎈 (@ShalJaufar) May 28, 2018
will u be getting married soon?
How can we be sure u wont quit after you marry?
Will your husband "let you" travel?
Will u be taking a lot of time off work to take care of the baby?
at a job interview? These were asked of women I know.
In case my point wasnt clear these show pre existent bias against capability of women, regardless of their qualifications. Because it is assumed before they get a chance to prove themselves that they will slack off to do home responsibilities. Does that exist for men?
— Shal❓🎈 (@ShalJaufar) May 28, 2018
This is how we women are denied in the work force, so don't get your balls in a twist when we women call out for equality in the workforce
— Fathimath Shafa (@kaidha_a) May 28, 2018
If I were a guy, I would have been congratulated and asked to sign, but since I was a women who was pregnant I was seen as a liability 🤷
U must be living in a bubble. I know a guy who went to pursue his masters abroad leaving behind his wife and kid. He came back, got a top notch job. When the wife wanted to pursue her degree, he divorced her. She completed her masters alone. The challenges are many.
— Aisha🎈 (@mysticaish) May 28, 2018
Meanwhile a woman shared her very real story of discrimiation
Since apparently some people are under the illusion that women don’t need empowering anymore I wanna talk about some things that happened.
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
When I first told my dad that I wanted to become a civil engineer he said that it was a man’s job and I wouldn’t be able to do it. My mom hated the idea then and isn’t too keen about it even now
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
I persisted. I started my degree in 2011 and thus started a wild four year ride where i had several reality checks.
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
In my first sem my lecturer ( a woman) told our class about a company she knew where all applications by female engineers were put aside and torn up. Talk about equal opportunities. She also forced the girls in the concrete lab class from not doing any mixing work because REASONS
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
Jk it’s because we were women and women don’t do dirty grimy work like mixing cement 🙄
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
In 2014, during my final year project ( not thesis ) I was leading a group of five guys. Because 1. There were very few women in the class and 2. None of them volunteered to be the leader.
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
My original lecturer was very supportive and helpful but we had a second lecturer who checked our work and the first time he talked to our group he asked who was the leader- I stepped up- and he asked the guys why the woman was the leader in a group full of men :)
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
I asked him what the problem was and he immediately said that he hadn’t meant it like that and he meant that the guys should also take responsibility but please - I had lived long enough to know that he DID MEAN IT LIKE THAT.
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
During the end of 2014 I was doing my research for my thesis - it was on soil compaction and I had to go dig up 10 kgs from a hill with my very pregnant supervisor. I’d lug the soil into my lab and spent weeks doing manual standard proctor tests there.
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
Was exhausted and drained but if I quit, they they won. And they, the men, were on the sidelines. Waiting for me to quit. Laughing at me. This is not a metaphor this actually happened in the lab.
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
I graduated and came to this shithole and my first job interview was grand - I was interviewing for an assistant engineer and I was asked if I could do this job because it was “tough for women to do these things “
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
I said yes and they asked if I could travel, I said yes then they asked if I could spend hours at work and not rush home and I said yes. There was more sexism that followed. At one point one guy asked the only other woman in the panel if she thought a woman could do the job
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
I want to say that I found satisfaction in her discomfort but the only thing I left with that day is an intense disappointment - not only was I subject to this blatant sexism, the only other woman in the room had been complacent until she was asked a question
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
I started working in August of 2015 and when I first joined the engineering division i was one out of four women in a division of about 50+ people ( just in the office not including the ones at site). Talk about being represented
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
Thus began a series of standoffs with men. I’ve shouted on behalf of my coworkers, I’ve shouted over their voices in meetings when they would drown out mine, I fought to not be that one girl who writes the minutes,defended my work infront of people who didn’t care abt my opinion
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
I learnt to talk to contractors who wouldn’t even talk to me when they first attended meetings - they’d just talk to my boss. I made a place for myself and for that I ended up earning the reputation of the bitch of the office
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
For “ruining the other women” for “talking back” for standing my own ground. They picked at my weight, they told me my skin, my looks and my feminism would guarantee me a life of single hood but I didn’t care. I persevered. Two years later here I am, and not much had changed
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
We have more women in our department now and that’s been great. The sexism is still apparent, our work goes unappreciated as the men go ahead in their fields, they’re getting promoted getting raises while the longest working woman in my dept. waited seven years to get promoted
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
To head of division level even though she did all the work from the beginning. THIS is the reality. THIS is what happens. You talk of opportunities being available for women and ignore how we’re shot down from a young age, discouraged from a young age, told that we’re basically
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
Only good for one thing. And that’s having babies. Getting married. Taking care of the house. Any idea how many times I’ve been told to get married after I started working? No? Well same bro because I’ve lost fucking count as well.
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
Educate your daughters and send them to work for a few years only to force them to get married so they can have a”fulfilling life” because a man is ALWAYS necessary for a fulfilling life. Give me a break.
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
So don’t come up in here and tell me women don’t have to work extra hard for the same jobs. Don’t tell me women don’t have to struggle anymore. Don’t Invalidate my struggle because it was easier for YOU because it hasn’t been easy for a lot of women. Ask around.Educate yourselves
— bhatakthi hui 👻 (@ayyshanada) May 27, 2018
One woman laid on the snark
“Why can’t you just bow down to the patriarchy and cook food for the men, bend down silently and do all unpaid domestic work, raise the children but also go to ‘appropriate’ jobs and earn less than men and don’t bitch about getting sexually assaulted because it’s your fault.”
— Aryj (@Arrryj) May 27, 2018
Another flipped the script
My only two cents about the #NotAllMen thing is that men have the privilege of saying that but women don’t cos #YesAllWomen have faced harassment and systematic oppression. 😥
— Shaha 🎈❓ (@heyshaha) May 27, 2018
Another woman reflected on Maldivian culture and toxic masculinity
There's literally nothing stopping us from equity between the sexes other than toxic masculinity, societal norms and our culture. like sure hold onto the culture but not the outdated parts that was somewhat valid once upon a time where
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
work was only physical labour. The whole Not All Men crap is ridiculous. All our presidents and most of our political members are men. Do egotistical men really feel attacked when women say "I want to be able to contribute to this too"?
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
Feminism is the belief that women should have equal opportunity. Okay "men have gone through this and that too" but correct me if I'm wrong but women rank way higher in statistics for being catcalled, raped, abused, assaulted, harrassed, seen as inferior etc. so why not look at
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
the bigger issue at hand first — and this isn't me saying men who suffer similarly are not worth it — no, this is me saying women have it worse and we need to fix it so we needn't walk streets in mortal fear because our mom's told us we might get attacked, raped or worse
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
Maldivian men are raised objectifying women, looking down at them. A child isn't born like this, they're taught this. And for those who think that a father should only work for the kids education and future while the mother raises the child all by herself, that's ridiculous.
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
Children deserve more than having to wonder "When is dad is coming back from work in Male" etc. They exist because of their parents and their parents both have equal roles to play in their kids' life, not the lopsided gender roles we've handed down for generations in Maldives.
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
Feminism is important because women I know don't even realize they're in toxic relationships and that's a problem. It's important because of the voices unheard. It's important due to rape victims manipulated into thinking it was their fault and the ones that never got justice.
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
It's important because men in their 20s - 30s harass teenagers in high school. It's important because I didn't fear monsters in the trees at night but people who may jump out and do anything. It's important because mother's are stripped of their independence upon marriage.
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
It's important because of the abusive marriages that exist and the number of single mothers raising their kids by themselves because their father walked out whilst blaming the mother. Feminism is important because most women aren't taught to be independent.
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
A man who respects you "rare gem of a gentleman" because that's the basics of manners. I believe feminism is of great importance because a woman doesn't NEED a man in their life to live. We are just taught this.
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
Gender roles are a societal norm that needn't exist as it is one created by the patriarchy. Emphasizing and trying to see something from the perspectives of millions isn't going to emasculate or lay a scratch on you.
— Dysfunc5 (@dyspanini) May 27, 2018
Another expressed her frustrations
I am so frustrated by some of y’all up in here, just completely refusing to believe that women are disrespected, robbed of opportunity, demeaned and quieted on the daily. Even when we, women keep insisting on this being OUR reality, you refuse to accept it bc YOU don’t face it.
— Papu (@shafrashafeeq) May 27, 2018
A man pointed out the irony of some of the backlash
The men who get offended at being called trash... and then launch into angry tweetstorms, just cementing the point further... well, good job. You really showed them, huh! 😂
— WolfMyst (@AzMyst) May 27, 2018
Reflections on the previous backlash faced by anti-harrasment campaign Nufoshey
Still remember how @nufoshey put up a map of Male and women stuck pins on the locations where they were harrassed but then some men barged in and broke it.
— glob🎈❔🏴 (@Mordisian) May 27, 2018
https://t.co/ocs5iaO4Eb pic.twitter.com/tv8xdjANXK
— Alice in Mordis 🎈 (@ciceline) May 27, 2018
May 28th - Day Four
Women: we face a problem
— tranquilpotato (@tranquilpotato) May 28, 2018
Men: How dare you accuse me of something I personally have never done but am complicit in!
Women: But listen...
Other women - I have never experienced it, therefore it never happened.
Women: *suffers*
Everyone: OMG WHY DIDNT YOU SAY SO???
Granted. Trash is offensive and hateful.
— Pointillist (@mom_hattan) May 28, 2018
Bitches, son of a bitch, whore, slut and numerous other insults flung daily at women are just business as usual.
It’s like these guys just realized generalizations are hurtful just this week.
Riiiiiiiight!
One tweep reflected on how they viewed the hashtag as a success
I'd say the #MenAreTrash run was quite successful. 😄
— glob🎈❔🏴 (@Mordisian) May 28, 2018
It made a whole lot of men uncomfortable, which means either they are misogynists or they somehow take pride in being a man.
And with all the things men do to women around the world, I am not sure what's there to be proud of
All such movements started by oppressed groups will get a lot of criticism. The #metoo movement: women are just trying to get attention or money or destroy good men. The #BLM movement: they are saying black lives matter more than white lives.
— glob🎈❔🏴 (@Mordisian) May 28, 2018
#menaretrash and #metoo were both started by women and feminists and you can always see people who are at the receiving end trying to control its direction. I can only see it exposing them more.
— glob🎈❔🏴 (@Mordisian) May 28, 2018
A woman shared their thoughts on the word "feminazi"
Feminazi is a term that originated from conservative right wing people to discredit feminism. It's derogatary term used by fragile egos to demonise feminists. Only shows your own ignorance if you use idiotic terms made up by Rush Limbaugh (of all the people 😅😅😅)
— 🍞🌹 (@kopitaaaa) May 28, 2018
Whenever there is a public contestation over a social issue there are all these seemingly open minded peacemakers who rush to tell people how to talk and what to say. The usual class monitors 👀 forever stuck observing other people's tone and behaviour.
— 🍞🌹 (@kopitaaaa) May 28, 2018
Why should we talk & behave only within existing social paradigms established by the very people & systems who we want to challenge? We don't owe you niceties and comfort. For once how about ask yourself why you feel so uncomfortable & fragile when certain issues are brought up.
— 🍞🌹 (@kopitaaaa) May 28, 2018
Another woman reflected on the messages taught to men in Maldivian media
I just realized that so many Maldivian movies and songs include innocent women going about in their everyday lives until a man comes and harrases them on the street like it's a normal/acceptable thing to do.
— Luha (@LuhaIbrahim) May 27, 2018
What's even more sad is that people don't even know what's happening. Just because it is in a movie/ song it becomes OK to harrase the girl. I just saw one song on TV where two men chase after one girl i the means to win her over for 4 whole minutes.
— Luha (@LuhaIbrahim) May 27, 2018
This should not have to be the way women are represented. We are not just a prize to be won over. Women deserve respect and no it does not mean going after every girl you see on the street. Chasing her till she is sick of all men.
— Luha (@LuhaIbrahim) May 27, 2018
This should not have to be the way women are represented. We are not just a prize to be won over. Women deserve respect and no it does not mean going after every girl you see on the street. Chasing her till she is sick of all men.
— Luha (@LuhaIbrahim) May 27, 2018
I don't think that the entertainment industry of the Maldives has done this on purpose, but i do believe that a change must happen. Films and songs doesn't have to give the already pathetic and retarded men of the Maldives any ideas about it. (not that thy don't already do shit.)
— Luha (@LuhaIbrahim) May 27, 2018
A man showed his support for the movement
How long will it take for men to realize that when we say menaretrash we don’t mean every single man out there, or the men people choose to keep around themselves.
— سيف سعيد (@SaifSaeedh) May 27, 2018
Men are trash. No I cannot type down every single name on this list just because you feel attacked.
A woman responded to people dismissing everything as useless drama
Amusing when people are all condescending about important discussions “oh look so much drama on twitter, women fighting over men, way to go you brilliant feminists” like it’s funny. Congratulations, you live in your own ignorant bubble and are part of the problem! *slow clap*
— Zara Fayaz 🎈❓ (@Zara_Fayaz) May 27, 2018
To which a man asked what the big deal was in the first place
Aslu kobaatha thibunaa hurihaa firihenunge massala akee? Eyrunthaa ran’galhu kuran nuvatha ekamah eheevaan in’geynee. Firihenehgge haisiyyathun hama ahaalee. Hiy hama nujehey kameh othiyyaa hiyaalu faalhu kuran jeheyne, madun huregen nuvaane 😊
— Mohamed Aiman 🇲🇻🎈 (@mohamed_aiman) May 27, 2018
Rough translation : "So what's the real problem with all the men anyways? (only then) can we attempt to solve the problem or try to help out with the situation. Just asking as a man. If there's something that's bothering you you should speak out, you shouldn't stay quiet."
Don't shift the burden of educating yourself onto others. Men should not expect women to educate them on gender based inequality and oppression. Oppressors should not ask the oppressed to teach them. https://t.co/R3SquMuZCm
— nabeeh❓🎈 (@dolordelano) May 27, 2018
An opressed man says he is scared to make eye contact with women because he might get labelled a harasser
Scared to make eye contact with a girl now in case I might be accused of harrassing them😳
— iaN (@iiyanx7) May 28, 2018
It is harassment when the explicit or implicit action, comment or gesture is unwanted and/or without consent and directed at a person, which results in creating a intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for them.
— Aryj (@Arrryj) May 29, 2018
Captain out. pic.twitter.com/o7J8offJ9M
Your failure to state so qualifies the original offense into the definition. Or is this like one of those #NotAllEyeContact situations? THE MAN IS AFRAID, captain. FOR DEAR LIFE.
— Naail 🎈 (@kudanai) May 29, 2018
Yes. And afraid to tweet anything these days too! Afraid it might be taken out of context and I might be crucified!
— iaN (@iiyanx7) May 29, 2018
Concluding drama
Alright I've embedded so many tweets that my browser is starting to slow down, so here are some concluding remarks
Twitter has become a toxic place now. Gone are the days where conversations and ideas could be discussed without offending some idiot on a high horse. It’s not a specific gender that’s trash. But people in general.
— Azmeel (@Ishvaras) May 28, 2018
What has one of the men who sparked the initial backlash learnt from days of women sharing their experiences of discrimination?
If you all think you've fixed something or raised awareness using the hashtag #MenAreTrash then you're so so wrong. You've only managed to make things worse.
— Haicko (@haesham) May 28, 2018
Regardless of how bad a situation is, a wrong approach will never fix it.
I have and always will support women empowerment and gender equality. But will never defend an ineffective stupid hashtag that makes you become what you're trying to abolish. Fight me. Quote me. Screenshot me. I don't care.
— Haicko (@haesham) May 28, 2018
Also aggressive responses will also fail to work to convince someone regardless of how educated you are. I understand the frustration, I really do. But personally attacking anyone who disagrees or finds it difficult to understand is also not the way now is it?
— Haicko (@haesham) May 28, 2018
And we all know the hashtag and movement was heavily misinterpreted. I was too and I apologize for it. But still, there's no fucking way I'm gonna agree with it. It's just wrong. And two wrongs will never make a right.
— Haicko (@haesham) May 28, 2018
That will be all. Slaughter me now.
Apparently not much
You’re tweeting about it aren’t you? The hashtag scratched the surface to start the conversation about inequality, and the behaviour of men. Just because the conversation sparked a debate, doesn’t make it any less relevant nor did it make things worse. Silence makes it worse. https://t.co/pWXtnG4xGB
— くたぱれ🎈 (@hoshiyoshii) May 29, 2018
Mansplaining a woman’s tweet to her was where he went wrong and he is still doing it. Nothing wrong in saying men are trash in a society where men took the decision to not recognise marital rape. What r hashtags compared to this violation of our human rights? https://t.co/U6oMVjb3x5
— Kanbaafaanu ❓🎈 (@Kanbaafaanu) May 29, 2018
If you want my opinion, I'd say hell yes, Maldivian men are trash. The country's appalling record on women's rights should speak for itself. No politician even mentions the need for abortions, which are still illegal and cause untold misery and stress for women who need to access this basic reproductive health service. Not to mention the Maldives has incredibly high rates of domestic violence, and a Guinness World Record for the highest number of divorces per capita. Many Maldivians still believe that women shouldn't be allowed to rule their country. Street harassment and abuse is widespread. This is without even getting into the extremely taboo topic of the rights of lesbian, bisexual or other non-cis women.
I think it says a lot that some men chose to police the people using the hashtag than confront the realities of what it's like being a woman in the Maldives. I think the following two tweets below sum up my feelings quite well.
my favourite type of people are those who are more bothered by people fighting over oppressions rather than the oppression itself.
— 🍞🌹 (@kopitaaaa) May 27, 2018
you think of any of us here like having these fights? NO but it seems quite necessary to me.
If you are not a woman, have never identified as one and have no lived experience as a woman then shut up, step back, sit down and listen when real women speak.
— Kanbaafaanu ❓🎈 (@Kanbaafaanu) May 30, 2018
