I mean, this is pretty standard advice for both women and men. The HR department is not your friend, they are not your lawyer (and the lawyers they talk to are

I mean, this is pretty standard advice for both women and men. The HR department is not your friend, they are not your lawyer (and the lawyers they talk to are not your lawyers), and they are not paid to protect your interests. I'm sorry this is news to you, but it is just structurally true. It will be true everywhere. If you really need someone to advocate for your interests, you'll need to hire a lawyer.