Healing the Divide: Women Supporting Women

Why Do Women Bully Other Women?
Women may sometimes engage in bullying behaviors toward other women due to a combination of social, psychological, and evolutionary factors. Unlike the more overt forms of aggression traditionally associated with men, women are more likely to use relational aggression. This includes subtle yet damaging behaviours like gossiping, social exclusion, or criticizing a rival's appearance — all aimed at diminishing another woman's perceived attractiveness or reputation.

The Impact of Internalized Misogyny
Societal norms and misogynistic attitudes can cause women to internalize negative beliefs about their own gender. This internalized sexism may lead to women devaluing or mistrusting other women, fostering a cycle of negativity. These unconscious biases can manifest as competition or hostility, even in environments where collaboration would be more beneficial.

The "Queen Bee Syndrome"
In male-dominated environments, some women in leadership positions may distance themselves from other women to maintain their status. This behaviour, known as "Queen Bee Syndrome," often involves senior women withholding support or being overly critical of female subordinates. This can be an attempt to align with male counterparts or reinforce their position in the hierarchy. While this behavior may be self-preservative, it ultimately weakens solidarity among women in the workplace.

Relational Aggression: The Hidden Harm
Relational aggression, a tactic women are more prone to use, is particularly harmful because it’s often harder to detect. This type of aggression may include deliberate exclusion, spreading rumors, or subtle manipulation — behaviours that can deeply impact one's professional and personal well-being. Women may find themselves facing incivility from their female peers in professional settings, driven by competition, internalized biases, or pressure to conform to organizational cultures that reward traditionally masculine behaviours.

Building a Culture of Support and Empowerment
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing and mitigating bullying behaviors among women. By recognizing the underlying causes, individuals and organizations can actively foster more supportive and collaborative environments.
As women, we should be striving to uplift one another. Another woman’s success should be celebrated — her achievement is a victory for all women, not a sign that others are failing. Everyone’s journey unfolds at its own pace, and instead of comparing ourselves to others, we should embrace a mindset of encouragement and solidarity.

Consider this: If a man is assertive or direct in his role, he’s often seen as a strong leader. Yet when a woman exhibits the same behavior, she may face questions like, "Are you on PMS?" or "Why are you being so bitchy?" This double standard diminishes women’s strength and reinforces harmful stereotypes. It’s time we break this pattern by championing one another, recognizing that supporting another woman’s success does not diminish our own.

By fostering kindness, mentorship, and shared victories, we can create an empowering culture where women feel secure in their achievements — and inspired to help others achieve theirs.

Written by, Community Member