This is a true story that might surprise you … These words weren’t said to me by a boyfriend, but by the controlling, charismatically powerful male leader of the cult I was in. I was 30. Ahead of this particular International Women’s Day, this somehow feels pertinent … men in powerful positions. I’d been deeply committed to our cult leader for six years. He demanded absolute submission and devotion and we submitted to rid ourselves of everything negative, to become pure, so that we could stop causing harm in the world and therefore help change it. Grandiose and naive I know and I have a very different view of how to make a difference in the world now, but our hearts were open and our intentions were good. But those words that he said to me that day, when he could sense my doubt creeping in, made me realize how little respect he had for me. Three days later, I left him. Escaped the cult that I’d given everything to. It meant leaving my long term boyfriend and my home. My c...