Women get it!

Female friendships offer a unique understanding born from shared experiences.

Women inherently grasp the challenges and joys that come with being female. These

bonds transcend mere companionship, forming an unspoken, often intense connection

that provides comfort and security. It is sort of like a lifelong embrace.

It is the inside jokes, late-night chats about everything and nothing, and adventures

that make the most interesting stories. From the awkward phases of teenhood, early

adulthood, and full-blown womanhood, there are a thousand reasons why we enjoy

these relationships, but a lot of times, we take them for granted and don’t realise that

there is a big reason to save them consciously.

Based on personal encounters, engagements with others, and media portrayals, it is

clear that our experiences aren't entirely unique. From career challenges to managing

family and romantic dynamics and societal expectations, women recognise early that

there is an imbalance in privilege and access. With this awareness, fostering female

friendships can greatly ease the journey for women, promoting support and solidarity

rather than rivalry and competition.

A prime example of this can be seen in the contrasting storyline of the film "The Devil Wears

Prada" and, conversely, the series "The Bold Type." Both are set within the same industries, yet

the portrayal of female interactions differs significantly between them.

In "The Devil Wears Prada," the atmosphere is steeped in competition, with Miranda

Priestly, the editor-in-chief, offering minimal support and even fostering further rivalry

between the aspiring associates, Andy and Emily.

Conversely, "The Bold Type" portrays a tight-knit bond among the Sutton, Jane and Kat, who not

only assist each other at work but also navigate their personal lives together. Additionally, there's

a notable level of support from the editor-in-chief, Jacqueline Carlyle. This supportive

environment benefits everyone involved.

Taylor Swift once shared a sentiment in an interview that underscores the challenges

women face in asserting themselves and challenging gender norms. She said, "The

most rage-provoking element of being a female is the gaslighting that happens...

when you know... for centuries, we have been expected to absorb male behaviour

silently. Silent absorption of whatever any guy decides to do, and when in our

enlightened state, in our emboldened state, we now respond to bad male behaviour,

or doing something that is out of line, the response is treated as the offence itself."

These are the kinds of sentiments that women all over the world can easily resonate

with.

It could also manifest as gaslighting, where both men who feel attacked and women

who choose not to understand other women's experiences dismiss these occurrences

as fabricated. However, women who encounter such situations daily inherently grasp

reality; they just do.

Take, for instance, a viral video where a random man walked up to a professional

female golfer, Georgia Ball, and began to instruct her on how to improve her swing.

This instance vividly illustrates the tendency of some men to assume superiority based

solely on their gender, an experience all too familiar to many women.

The fact that women have had firsthand experiences with the same issues that other

women face means they are often more adept at identifying instances of sexism,

misogyny, and gender-based discrimination. It also means that women are in a better

position to call out these inequalities because they have experienced them too. Most

times, when these issues show up in conversations on social media, women just get

it; they just do.

Boyfriends and girlfriends will come and go, but this is for life! Phoebe Buffay, Friends

The level of support from female friendships when things go wrong in romantic

relationships is only the first base for healing within these bonds. A girl will always

have her girls; they are a shoulder to cry on and a warm blanket on cold, dark nights.

There are countless examples in movies: Meredith and Christina in Grey’s Anatomy;

Sutton, Jane, and Kat in The Bold Type; Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte in

Sex and the City; and Joan, Maya, Lynn, and Toni in Girlfriends. These friendships are

often more consistent and fulfilling than the romantic relationships depicted by these

characters.

These female friends show up time and time again. Titilope Sonuga, in her poem

'Sanctuary', wrote, "My sisters know where everything is buried... they hold space for

every version... make no mistake, this is a love story... I answer to a love that welcomes

me whole".

This reflects the enduring nature of female friendships as lifelong partners. Across

different phases of life, they are privy to our secrets, our triumphs, and our defeats.

They remain steadfast through the various versions of ourselves.

Women have an uncanny ability to spot red flags in your relationships when you might

be too doe-eyed to see them yourself. They're there for you during the tough times—

pregnancy scares, messy breakups, and everything in between. They've got your back

when you're in need, whether it's lending money or nursing you through sickness.

These are the friends who lift you up and hype you up when you don’t feel very

confident—think nurturing souls like Monica from Friends and Joan from Girlfriends.

They're the ones who aren't afraid to call you out on your nonsense, echoing the

wisdom of Christina Yang: "He is not the sun; you are." It's a bond that feels like it's

both of you against the world. Yet, despite their unwavering support, it's all too

common to prioritise romantic interests over these invaluable friendships.

For these and numerous other reasons, it's absurd when people claim that girls don't

get along and that male friendships are simpler because they involve less drama. Sure,

women can hurt each other, and friendships among females can come to an end—

it's undeniably painful when they do. But that's simply part of the human experience;

interactions can be wonderful at times and tragic at other times.

That’s my girl, Fifth Harmony

Female friendships are truly remarkable because they continuously enrich our lives. As

much as we give and receive in these relationships, it's crucial to honour and cherish

our female friends. When we have friends we hold dear, it's essential to safeguard

their feelings, trust them, and treat them with kindness and respect. Equally important

is extending similar warmth to girls we may not know well—this is what it means to

be a girl’s girl.

Being a girl's girl involves looking out for other girls, speaking up when necessary,

and recognising when another girl requires assistance. It means enthusiastically

celebrating your friends' victories and monumental moments with genuine warmth. It

is also attending to seemingly minor details like refraining from posting unflattering

pictures, discreetly informing her if something is amiss with her appearance, and

respecting any boundaries she sets. Being there when needed and challenging each other

without competing are essential aspects of being a true friend to other women.

As women, we need to celebrate female friendships every chance we get. This can

involve fostering more online and offline girl communities, amplifying women's stories

through blogs, podcasts, and movies, and hosting events centred around female

empowerment. On an individual level, we should acknowledge the significance of our

female friendships by dedicating both effort and attention to nurturing them. By

valuing and prioritising these connections, we not only enrich our own lives but also

contribute to the strength and support within our communities