“Enough Of Outdated Dating Norms: Women Should Start Proposing To Men” — Matembe

By Swift Reporter

Women’s rights advocate Miria Matembe has called for a change in social norms to allow women to openly express romantic interest in men, including making the first move in relationships.

Matembe, a veteran campaigner for gender equality and women’s empowerment, argues that it is outdated for society to expect women to remain passive while waiting for men to initiate relationships.

According to her, women should feel free to approach men they are interested in without fear of judgment or social stigma.

“Traditionally, women are not expected to approach a man first, but I want to challenge that mindset. If a woman sees a man she is interested in, she should feel free to tell him. There is nothing wrong with that,” Matembe said.

She noted that despite years of advocacy for gender equality, many communities continue to uphold cultural expectations that place men in dominant roles when it comes to initiating romantic relationships, while women are expected to wait.

Matembe also questioned why some men feel uncomfortable when women openly express interest in them, describing the reaction as an unnecessary social barrier.

“Men often describe themselves as the stronger and more confident gender, yet some become uncomfortable when a woman simply tells them she is interested. I do not understand why such a simple gesture should be feared,” she added.

Her remarks reignite conversations about gender roles in modern relationships and the extent to which traditional expectations continue to shape social interactions between men and women.