March is a month of many things: Spring Break, St. Patrick’s day and, most importantly, it’s Women’s History month with March 8th being International women’s day. This women’s day a lot of people chose to participate in the strike called “A Day Without Women” to protest the current political climate and inequality.
This strike differs from previous ones in that its main objective is to highlight “how crucial women are to the US national workforce” and so women throughout the country and the world walked out of work as a part of the “A Day Without Woman” strike. Woman around the world went on strike to demand protection against violence, equal rights, and respect. For example, women in Ireland wore black and marched in opposition to their countries restrictive abortion laws. They were joined by celebrities that sympathized with their views including “Outlander” actress Caitriona Balfe who also tweeted this to raise awareness for the march:
Here’s to all my Irish sisters still fighting for the right to choose. #repealthe8th #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/HehNdXfsdl
— Caitriona Balfe (@caitrionambalfe) March 8, 2017
As a symbol of solidarity MTV switched their logo, making the M a W in honor of International Women’s day.
This strike was organized by the same people who put together the Women’s march on Washington in January and “calls for women to take the day off from working and only shop at businesses owned by minorities and women” to show their defiance to rhetoric espoused by members of our current administration as well as commemorating an important day in the women’s rights movement.
During this strike, a rally was organized in New York, where 13 of the women’s march organizers were arrested in front of the Trump International Hotel, as they attempted to form a human chain around it. They were arrested for civil disobedience, and this arrest shows the influence of our current political system.
This strike for women’s rights was echoed around the globe, and spread awareness for gender disparities and allowed women to campaign for their rights. There was a flood of female empowerment that could be seen, and this event further cemented the steps that we have taken to achieve total equality among all.
