What is the 4B movement? Women practice no-sex in a quest to regain rights post-election

“American women, looks like it’s time to get influenced by Korea’s 4B movement,” read a post on X just hours after it became clear Donald Trump had won the election and would become the 47th president of the United States.

american women, looks like it’s time to get influenced by korea’s 4b movement

Similar posts calling for women to engage in the 4B movement continued to gain traction online throughout the day. “The easiest and fastest way to join the fight as a woman is to engage in and promote the #4BMovement straight up,” another X user posted. “The women in South Korea are doing it. It’s time we join them. Men will NOT be rewarded, nor have access to our bodies,” a third added.

Originating in South Korea, the 4B movement began online in 2019 and revolves around the “four no’s.” As ”no” means “bi” in Korean, and bisekeu translates to no heterosexual sexual relationships, biyeonae to no dating, bihon no heterosexual marriage, and bichulsan no childbirth. Supporters of the women-led movement are disengaging from traditional heterosexual relationships and thereby eliminating the risks that come from hetero marriage or dating.

This is not the first time so-called sex strikes have been called for in the U.S. and around the world. In 2019, actress Alyssa Milano called for sex strikes in response to legislation in the U.S. state of Georgia intended to make abortions more difficult.

“Our reproductive rights are being erased,” wrote Milano. “Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy. JOIN ME by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back. I’m calling for a #SexStrike. Pass it on.”

Our reproductive rights are being erased.Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy. JOIN ME by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back.I’m calling for a #SexStrike. Pass it on. pic.twitter.com/uOgN4FKwpg

From Trump’s multiple accusations of sexual misconduct to his role in overturning Roe v. Wade, setting back America’s reproductive rights by decades, many fear his second term in office will bring with it a further rollback of women’s rights and freedoms.

Since the 2022 ruling, 17 states have banned abortion entirely or severely restricted it, leaving millions without care and leading to an increase in both maternal and infant deaths. “Ok so what now? 4b for the next 4y,” one TikTok user posted yesterday. “4b movement but we take it a step further – time to collectively get hysterectomies,” posted another.

@livworrell #4bmovement #notmypresident #womensrights #4b ♬ original sound – ᴋɪʀsᴛʏ

@livworrell #4bmovement #notmypresident #womensrights #4b ♬ original sound – ᴋɪʀsᴛʏ

#4bmovement #notmypresident #womensrights #4b

Exit poll data shows that 55% of men voted for Trump in the Tuesday election, with conservative values gaining ground among male voters. “Right now is a good time to start a 4B movement,” one post concluded. “Let male loneliness actually become an epidemic since they hate women so much.”