Women's rights and the rise of the 4B movement

During the run-up to the 2024 Presidential election in the United States, women’s rights emerged as one of the most pivotal issues driving voter decisions. Concerns grew over what another term for Donald Trump and the Republican Party would mean for the future of gender equality. These issues appear to be rooted in the concerning reality of the exponential rise of the radical right, which gives legitimate cause for alarm about the future of women’s rights globally. Similar trends of far-right radicalism are seemingly emerging in the UK, as evidenced by growing support for parties like Reform in the last general election. The strong backing for figures such as Nigel Farage, who shares a close alliance with Trump and has aligned himself with internet misogynist Andrew Tate, underscores how interconnected these issues are, bridging geographic distances and making the threat feel worryingly pertinent.

Trump’s reinstatement as the 47^th President of the United States marks a deeply polarising moment in history. Almost 80 million Americans voted to re-elect a man who has criminal convictions, ranging from sexual assault to fraud. This election was not just about policies but was underpinned by societal values. This move indicates that misogyny is still a pressing and urgent issue. The choice between Trump and the prospect of electing the first female president once again highlighted deeply ingrained societal biases. There several reasons Kamala Harris was not elected but being a woman appears to be one of them. Similar rhetoric was evident during the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton. For many, it is deeply concerning that a society would prefer to endorse a candidate with such a controversial history, rather than elect a qualified woman who could shatter the ultimate glass ceiling.

The Rise of the 4B Movement

In the wake of the election results, there has been an observable surge in conversations around the radical feminist 4B movement, which originates in South Korea. The foundation of the movement is the 4Bs: bihon, meaning no heterosexual marriage; bichulsan, no childbirth; biyeonae, no dating; and bisekseu, no heterosexual sexual relationships. It represents an extreme response to patriarchal systems, and the increasing discussions of it in the US reflects a growing sense of disenfranchisement among women.

Whilst there are evident contextual differences there are also noticeable parallels between the political climates of South Korea and the United States. The 4B movement gained traction in South Korea during a decade marked by male-dominated politics and rising anti-feminist sentiment among young men. The US has seen a similar increase in far-right ideologies in young male voters, particularly Gen Z, which saw a swing towards Trump in the 2024 election. This demographic appears resistant to progressive feminism and views it as a threat to society. Concerningly, there are further divisions among women, with a growing number believing that the feminist movement has gone too far. This can be seen in the rise of the Tradwife movement on social media – with these women asserting that solely being focused on their house, their children and their husband is their role as a woman.

Divided Responses

For many women, not just in the United States but across the globe, the last few weeks have brought about feelings of helplessness and betrayal. People fear what their future holds for women. From reproductive rights to workplace equality, there appears to be a tangible feeling of anxiety about the progress that might be rolled back. The biggest blow of late was the overturning of Roe v. Wade which gave abortion law decisions back to the individual states. Amidst the despair this caused, women appear to have found a semblance of hope in movements like 4B. For others, it feels like a last resort. While the movement offers a form of resistance, it also raises questions about its effectiveness and implications.

Radical movements like 4B often come with trade-offs. While it seeks to empower women by rejecting the systems that have traditionally oppressed them, it risks deepening divisions, across genders, in an already fractured society. Critics argue that such an approach could inadvertently reinforce patriarchal control by providing men with a reason to dismiss feminist concerns as overly extreme or dramatic. Furthermore, it risks alienating potential allies who might otherwise support gender equality but are uncomfortable with such radical tactics.

A Step Backward for Society

Trump’s presidential nomination represents not just a setback for women’s rights in the political sphere, but a broader regression for society. With this in mind, it isn’t surprising that women feel their only way of reclaiming autonomy over their own bodies is by removing it from men completely. A democracy should protect women’s bodily autonomy, yet current political climates often force women into defensive positions, resulting in movements like 4B. While extreme, these movements reflect desperation in the face of systemic inequality.

This moment should serve as a wake-up call to prioritise gender equality. Feminist movements alone won’t achieve lasting change; progress demands dialogue, holding leaders accountable and addressing deeply ingrained misogyny, involving all genders in these discussions. Though the election might feel like a step backwards for some, history proves that progress often follows resistance. Activists and policymakers must use this moment to push for systematic change, which fosters equality. The 4B movement is just one of many examples of pushback from women who will no longer let these deep societal failures be ignored. Achieving justice and equality is challenging, but it is critical for society to truly progress.