Nativism Will Not Save Women

Nativism Will Not Save Women

In recent years, much of the debate surrounding mass migration in Europe has centered on the crimes committed by male migrants, especially those involving violence against women. It’s true that many of these men do commit heinous acts, including rape and assault. However, this focus on migrant men as the primary threat overlooks an uncomfortable truth: native men are equally dangerous, if not more so. The rise of the right-wing in Europe, with its nativist rhetoric, often excludes white native men from the conversation about violence and crime. But the reality is that men, regardless of their race, nationality, or religion, are at the root of violence against women.

The Problem of Selective Outrage

Right-wing populists frequently highlight crimes committed by migrants as a way to stoke fear and gain political leverage. They claim that stopping immigration will protect women and safeguard national values. But this narrative deliberately ignores the fact that native men commit domestic violence, rape, and other crimes at alarming rates. In Poland, for example, 63% of women have experienced domestic violence, and most of these crimes are committed by native men. Similarly, across Europe and other Western countries, men born and raised within these societies are responsible for the vast majority of violence against women.

The issue is not confined to migrant men or men from different cultural backgrounds. Nativism and anti-immigration rhetoric paint a picture that only foreign men are a threat, but native men are just as likely to abuse, exploit, and control women. The truth is simple: men everywhere, regardless of their background, are dangerous to women. Violence, oppression, and control are not exclusive to one group of men—they are universal traits of patriarchy.

Nativism and Right-Wing Populism Won’t Save Women

Right-wing populists claim that stopping immigration will protect women from the dangers of violent men. But these same movements often promote ideologies that strip women of their rights. For example, Christian nationalism, which is a rising force within many right-wing movements, seeks to curtail women’s reproductive rights, control their bodies, and force them into traditional gender roles. Under the guise of “family values,” these populist movements are another form of male domination and control over women’s lives.

Whether under Shariah law or Christian nationalism, the results are the same: women suffer. In conservative, nationalist societies, women are often pushed into subservient roles and denied their autonomy. Reproductive rights are restricted, abortion is outlawed, and women’s bodies are policed. Just like in more conservative Islamic regimes, nationalist movements in Europe and the West seek to control women’s sexuality, reproduction, and freedom.

The Universal Problem: Men

The problem isn’t specific to any one culture or ideology—it’s men. Whether it’s men under Shariah law in Islamic countries or men following right-wing nationalist ideals in Europe and the United States, the result is the same. Men seek to control, oppress, and exploit women. Patriarchy takes many forms, but its foundation is the same across all societies: male dominance and female subjugation. Whether it’s migrant men or native men, women are subjected to violence, abuse, and control.

This is why nationalism and anti-immigration rhetoric cannot be the solution. Stopping migration will not end violence against women. Supporting right-wing populism will not protect women from rape, domestic violence, or systemic abuse. These are just distractions from the real problem: the violence inherent in male-dominated societies, no matter where they are.

4B: The Only Real Solution

The only solution to this problem is to reject the systems that uphold male dominance entirely. The 4B movement is clear: women must reject relationships with men in order to protect themselves. Nativism, nationalism, and populism will not save women. These movements are driven by men who have no real interest in empowering or protecting women. They use women’s safety as a talking point while simultaneously advocating for policies that further entrench women’s subjugation.

By removing themselves from relationships with men, women can free themselves from the violence, control, and exploitation that have been forced upon them for centuries. Whether men are from your own community or from another culture, they are the same: they are a threat to women’s safety and autonomy. The 4B movement advocates for women to live independent, free lives, away from the control and abuse of men. It is only by rejecting male relationships and focusing on our own safety and empowerment that women can break free from the systems of oppression that patriarchy has built.

Don’t wait for men to save you—they never will. Women already have the means to their own liberation. ♀