No woman—no matter how wise, how wounded, how experienced, or how loud—has the right to override another woman’s boundaries. Not now. Not ever.Being
No woman—no matter how wise, how wounded, how experienced, or how loud—has the right to override another woman’s boundaries.
Not now. Not ever.
Being female is not a permission slip to dismiss another woman’s voice. Especially when that voice says “no.”
We know what it feels like to be ignored. Dismissed. Spoken over.
So how is it that we turn around and do the same to another woman—and then call it sisterhood?
Let’s talk about why this matters. Deeply.
1. No Means No. Even When It Comes from a Woman.
Her “no” isn’t up for debate.
It doesn’t require explanation, softness, or a round of approval.
Whether she whispers it, shouts it, or says it in silence—you honor it.
2. Boundaries Are Not Optional. They Are Sacred.
You don’t get to climb over another woman’s boundaries just because you share the same gender.
We’ve all had to fight to carve out space in this world—don’t be the one who invades it.
3. True Sisterhood Holds Respect, Not Control.
Sisterhood doesn’t mean sameness.
It means making room. It means letting each other breathe. It means listening, not forcing.
4. Undermining Her “No” Repeats Patriarchal Harm.
Yes, even when a woman does it.
Using your position, your influence, or your “I’m just trying to help” to push past another woman’s refusal is patriarchal behavior wearing a headwrap.
5. We Don’t Heal by Causing Harm.
Some of us are Survivors. All of us know pain.
But using your story to silence someone else’s boundaries? That’s not healing. That’s harm.
6. Consent Doesn’t Have a Gender Clause.
The consent conversation didn’t come with an asterisk.
It doesn’t say “except when it’s woman to woman.”
Consent is universal. And it must be upheld by everyone.
7. She Doesn’t Owe You Her Agreement.
Her “no” may not sit well with you. You may not understand it. You may not like it.
And still, she doesn’t owe you her yes.
8. Emotional Intelligence Means Knowing When to Step Back.
You may have wisdom. You may have love in your heart.
But emotional intelligence says: “I don’t have to agree with your boundary to respect it.”
9. We Model for the Next Generation.
If young women see us trampling each other’s boundaries,
what are we teaching them?
That their voices only matter sometimes?
We can’t afford that. They can’t afford that.
Empowerment is not about pushing past people. It’s about protecting them—even when it’s inconvenient.
You don’t get to use your womanhood to silence another woman.
You don’t get to climb inside her “no” and rearrange it because you think you know better.
You don’t get to call that love. Or care. Or community.
At We Survive Abuse, we believe in respecting boundaries like they’re life rafts.
Because for so many of us—they are.
So let that “no” be the full sentence it was always meant to be.
Step back. Let her breathe. Let her choose. Let her live.
Because if we don’t protect each other’s “no,”
who will?
