From Insult to Empowerment: Why ‘Running Like a Girl’ Means Surviving

“Run like a girl.” Once used as an insult to undermine women’s abilities, the phrase has been reclaimed as a symbol of resilience and power.

For many women, particularly those sharing their experiences on TikTok, running like a girl means running fast—and sometimes, running for their lives. In moments of harassment, the threat of assault, or worse, it is their ability to “run like a girl” that has kept them alive to tell their stories.

According to UN statistics published in November 2024, an estimated 736 million women, roughly one in three, have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. This sobering reality unfolds against a backdrop of increasing threats to women’s rights globally and the rise of the manosphere; an online subculture often linked to misogynistic rhetoric.

While the manosphere presents itself as a movement for "male empowerment" and self-improvement, much of its content revolves around the subjugation of women. It exploits young men’s insecurities, promoting a worldview in which dominance over women is equated with success. And this ideology isn’t confined to online spaces, it influences real-world attitudes, reinforces harmful gender norms, and in some cases, fuels violence.

Women, however, are pushing back, not just by rejecting these narratives, but by reclaiming their own. The "run like a girl" trend is one of many ways social media has become a platform for women to shed light on the dangers they face daily. By sharing their stories, they are transforming what was once an insult into a testament of survival and strength.

One woman on TikTok recounted a chilling moment:

“I was three steps from the corner of the car when a voice in my head screamed louder than ever: ‘TURN AROUND NOW.’ I immediately stepped back and ran as fast as I could… I stopped at the traffic light and turned around. From underneath the car, crawled the 6-foot man I had seen an hour ago. He stood up, waved at me, and smiled.”

She concluded:

“So yes, I will run like a girl—because running like a girl saved my life.”

Another woman described her experience:

“Running like a girl means running for your life, with fear chasing you. Your only thought is survival, and your only feeling is adrenaline—but not the good kind.”

These stories underscore the everyday safety concerns women navigate and the constant vigilance required to move through public spaces. While social media has amplified their voices, many argue that greater institutional efforts are needed to address gender-based violence. Conversations around legal protections, education on harassment prevention, and the role of digital platforms in regulating harmful content continue to shape the debate.

The phrase "run like a girl" was once a taunt meant to demean. Today, it stands as both a testament to women’s strength and a stark reminder of the work that remains; to create a world where they no longer have to run at all.