What would you say about a man who said to women
"Why are you working outside the home? Don't you know that's not your place?"
We would probably all be stunned into silent, blinking incredulity. The thought that anyone would suggest a woman she could not make her own way in the world strikes us as deeply offensive.
Suppose, then, this interlocutor doubled-down on their argument by saying a woman choosing to work outside the home was better off leaving such things to more capable people, that she was probably going to do more harm to herself or, worse, her selfish desire was the gateway by which others would be able to ruin society, in effect making her the reason for society's ills.
Such a person would be more than merely dismissed. They would be sent packing as nothing more than a blunt-headed misogynist.
If they then backed-up their demands with suggestions that women be compelled by any means to keep their place it would be immediately known that such a person could not be reasoned with and the more distance put between such a person and one's self, the better. The argument betrays itself, it isn't about what is best for society or women but about control so as to force others to live by that person's expectations.
Control. That's all it is about. nothing more and nothing less.
Sexual assault -- rape -- is also about control. There is no other explanation. Someone wanted something and another person refused to provide it so it will be taken or simply to show another who is boss.
Some people choose to demonstrate a sense of control in various ways but the rapist seeks a method that strikes at the very soul of the victim. It degrades, dehumanizes and humiliates the victim. That is its intent. No person should have to suffer such things. No person should be allowed to inflict such things.
So when a woman decides she wants to proactively take the means to defend herself, to not suffer an assault (or not suffer an assault -- again) she has the right to do so. To own one's body is far more personal than seeking a career outside the home. To tell her she should leave such things to more capable people or that she is to more is going to do more harm to herself or, worse, her choice is the gateway for the evils of others is -- at best -- demeaning.
To then suggest that such a woman should be compelled to obey -- just as before -- betrays the purpose of those arguments.
Control.
I am no more suggesting a woman is required to own a gun to prove her feminist bona fides anymore than I am suggesting a woman must work outside the home (For the record I do not carry a gun and I work outside the home part-time, spending the majority of my time taking care of my school-aged SIL). However, the choice must be there and it is a choice exercised by millions of women.
= new reply since forum marked as read
...hmm... That just doesn't seem feminine. 
that makes me 
She should be proud of her accomplishments and promote them instead of trying to hide them.
