I can’t wait for The March! This is an immensely historic moment. Remember that phrase, the revolution will not be televised? Well this is it and it is a peaceful one. (And needs to remain so.) And though the revolution might not be televised, thankfully it will be internet-ized. 194,000 people, women and men, have said they will attend the march in D.C. and there are sister marches and rallies in every single state. In total, there are 370 marches across the country drawing, by latest estimate, 700,000 people.
This January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration of a demagogue, people are uniting. And it’s not just in America. The movement has spread across the globe, with rallies taking place in six different continents. Across the globe, people of all backgrounds are standing up for equality and respect. (That’s what feminism is about: Women getting equality, not superiority.) The Women’s March on Washington’s policy platform is abundantly inclusive and intersectional, and ensures the public knows this movement is about ALL women.
When chatting with a woman from Australia the other day, she pointed out how entrentched the patriarchy is in America. I asked her what we need to do to make our country a better place for women. She said, “Women need to keep showing up.” So simple. I agree. We need to keep showing up at rallies and protests, on blogs and comment threads and in-person conversations, schools, businesses, court rooms, doctors offices and media screens. We need to continue to stand up for ourselves of all backgrounds.
This is our chance, as the females of this country, (and the globe) to show the world that women’s rights need to be at the forefront of our present and our future. We cannot progress and face the challenges that humans will need to contend with, like environmental destruction and human tragedy, if half the people are pushed to the margins. This is a great time to show the new administration of the U.S. that women’s voices will not be squandered. Women’s rights are human rights and we will fight for these rights, together.
The global Women’s March movement has outlined it’s vision with an acronym, H.E.R.S, which stands for: Health, Economic Security, Representation, and Safety. They are encouraging others to adapt this model as well:
- “Health — Healthcare is the foundation of women’s well-being and economic stability. Women’s March Global advocates for access to affordable and inclusive women’s healthcare regardless of nationality, age, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
- Economic Security — Women are powerful drivers of economic growth, and their economic empowerment benefits all nations. Women’s March Global supports the dismantling of economic barriers that obstruct women’s full and equal access to local, national, and global economic systems.
- Representation — Women are under-represented globally, adversely affecting our collective health, safety, and economic security. Women’s March Global seeks fair and just representation of women locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Safety — Every woman has the need and right to feel physically secure, and security for women should be assured through sound legal practices. Women’s March Global stands behind the principle that women are not to be held accountable for actions that are outside their control — particularly regarding all forms of assault — and that fair legal action must be applied to prevent these crimes.”
Together, joining forces with one another, women and men of all backgrounds, we can create a better world where women have equal rights and respect.
To find out more, go to womensmarch.com and check out the video below.
Julia View 