Underground Knowledge — A discussion group discussion

Hi all,
I’d love to open a discussion about what I see as a deeply embedded, often invisible system of global repression against women.

From the beauty industry’s impossible standards to the myth that we should “have it all” (career, motherhood, perfection)—women are pushed to perform in every area of life, often without the structural support to make that sustainable. Governments tell us we’re equal while failing to update laws or systems that would make that a reality.

One glaring example: the appallingly low conviction rates in rape cases worldwide. This isn’t just a legal failure—it’s a message about whose safety, truth, and dignity matter. At the same time, support systems are stripped away, communities are eroded, and we're left in an individualistic, profit-driven culture.

Even the language we use is shifting—sometimes in ways that can diminish the visibility and value of women. Terms like “people with vaginas” may be well-intentioned, but they risk erasing the word woman from discussions that directly impact us, especially when it comes to policy, healthcare, and rights.

In my debut memoir Not the Perfect Victim, I challenge the legal system and society’s response to sexual violence and neurodivergence—but I’ll be honest, I often fear people won’t want to engage with these uncomfortable conversations. And maybe that’s part of the problem too.

Does any of this resonate with you? How do we name, resist, and survive this?

—Anna