Fix the System, Not the Women
Fix the System, Not the Women is a 2022 book by British feminist writer and activist Laura Bates. It critically examines systemic gender inequality across five key societal institutions—education, politics, media, policing, and criminal justice—and calls for structural reforms to address these issues rather than placing the burden on women to adapt.
Overview
Laura Bates argues that societal structures perpetuate gender-based injustices by failing to accommodate women equitably. The book explores how entrenched biases in institutions contribute to discrimination and violence against women. Bates combines personal anecdotes, real-life stories from contributors to her Everyday Sexism Project, and statistical evidence to highlight these systemic failures.Bates critiques systemic sexism in education, politics, media, policing, and criminal justice. She illustrates how these institutions fail to protect or empower women, often exacerbating inequality. The book challenges societal tendencies to blame women for their own victimization—whether for walking home alone or not demanding equal opportunities—and emphasizes the need for systemic accountability. Bates also addresses how gender inequality intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as race and class.