WOMEN’S MARCH
by Neža Razbornik
This is a topic that I think should seriously get more recognition so why not start with an article. Here it is….
In case you don’t know what a Women’s March is, it is a political protest to advocate legislation and policies regarding human rights and other problems such as women’s rights, healthcare reform, immigration reform, LGBT rights, racial and religious equality, etc.
There are so many different reasons people march but they all have one thing in common and that is to have a voice and to speak up about the problem a majority is facing. These people want to see a change, even if it doesn’t happen right now. They are spreading hope and awareness. The amazing thing about the March is that not only women of all ages, religions and races march but also men. They all become a unity and that is a big step forward in this era we are in.
A lot of people don’t know how these marches even started.
It all started when Teresa Shook created a Facebook event to protest Trump’s election. She soon got thousands of people wanting to join in. The march was originally called Millions Women March but that name was not accepted because it was already used in 1997 when women of colour marched in Philadelphia. Soon she decided to hand the project to female activists in New York, and they renamed it The Women’s March. Organisations as Planned Parenthood and Equality Now became partners, and they made it happen.
The first Women’s March happened on 21st January 2017. Over six million women and allies, in over 600 cities, on every continent, joined forces to march for women’s rights and human rights. Since then there have been multiple marches all over the World. This year Women’s March was held on 20th January and it attracted thousands of participants in hundreds of cities, towns and suburbs in the US alone. It also happened in Canada, Japan, Italy, Britain, France, Germany and many other countries.
In 2018 Women’s March US, along with protests against President Trump and his administration’s policies on immigration, healthcare, racial divides and other issues, new themes got voice, including »Power to the Polls«. “Power to the Polls” tries to increase voter participation and it encourages women to run for office.
The Women’s March Global, under the theme of »Look Back, March Forward« continues to unite and fight for the freedom and liberation of all people worldwide.
Popular reasons people march for are:
- Illegal abortion
This is still a big problem in multiple countries. Approximately 25% of the world’s population lives in countries with highly restrictive abortion laws, mostly in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Women deserve to decide on their own if they should keep the baby or not, besides there are also other factors that impact the decision.
- Period poverty
Despite it happening once a month, every month, periods remain unaffordable to some young women. Campaigns like #TheHomelessPeriod are trying to tackle period poverty for homeless women, who have no official Governmental support for sanitary care, meaning many have to go without and type of period products. That can also lead to many infections and diseases.
- Austerity is more likely to affect women
Austerity is a political-economic term referring to policies that aim to reduce government budget deficits like spending cuts and tax increases. According to the Parliamentary Women’s Budget Group (WBG), austerity has a big effect on women.
This is mostly because a higher proportion of women’s incomes are made up of benefits and tax credits. Women are more dependent on benefits than men because they are more likely to be on lower incomes and receive benefits.
- Equality
Everyone just wants to feel equal to the other person…right?!
- LGBT community
Barack Obama legalised gay marriage in every state and the US military lifted its ban on gay service personnel. But President Trump refused to confirm fighting discrimination. Shortly after he took office, the revamped White House’s website removed all reference to equality laws.
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