A viral trend on TikTok has sparked a heated conversation far deeper than it intended. The question: “Man or Bear?” asks women who they’d rather be stuck in the woods with. To the surprise of many, the majority of women participating in this trend have chosen the bear – a ferocious animal – over a man.
Although perceived absurd, their choice is quite telling. The choice of a bear over a man speaks volumes and is a stark reminder of the heightened sense of vulnerability and insecurity that women tend to feel around men. This fear is not unfounded, statistics have shown that women face a higher risk of violence, harassment, and exploitation at the hands of men. It’s no wonder they would rather face a predictable threat, a bear, than the unpredictable nature of a male stranger.
This TikTok trend highlights a need for societal change as it relates to women’s safety not just physical safety but also financial safety. Understanding and managing finances effectively can provide women with the resources and confidence to make independent decisions, thereby reducing dependency on others who might not always have their best interests at heart. When a woman can financially support herself, she gains a sense of agency and control over her life. This way, she has the power to choose where she lives, who she associates with, security measures she can put in place, and lots more. Knowledge of financial matters can also protect women from falling prey to scams, fraud, or financial abuse as studies have shown that women are more likely to fall victim to these.
It is important to note that the “Man or Bear” challenge isn’t about fearing men because truly not all men are dangerous; it’s about highlighting the need for a world where women feel safe and secure across board. Financial literacy and independence are crucial steps toward achieving that goal and this is the very reason United Capital Asset Management birthed the campaign #ThisGirlInvests. The campaign aims to encourage women to develop a healthy investing culture, increase their participation in Nigeria’s capital markets, and create sustainable financial plans for retirement. This way, they wouldn’t have to depend on anyone, man or child, for their livelihood, especially in old age.
The United Capital Wealth for Women Fund is a vehicle for women to achieve this. It is an open-ended mutual fund that enables women to invest long-term in high-yielding fixed-income and equity instruments toward their financial future. Subscriptions can start as low as N10,000 with multiples of N5,000 thereafter. To invest in the Wealth for Women Fund click here.
