Fifty-one events took place across Africa, Central and South America, Europe, Canada and Asia on the theme of bodily autonomy
Women and allies across the world marched in snow, rain and sunshine for the fourth annual march of the Global Women’s March. Communities mobilised to defend and advance women’s universal human rights with a total of 51 Events taking place in 24 countries across the world. The Marches draw critical international attention to women’s struggles in exercising bodily autonomy and the systemic oppression women face in their attempts to exert sovereignty over their bodies.
“We each March for our own reasons. But we know there is not just one issue to March for. This is because all oppression is connected.” said Women’s March Global Executive Director Uma Mishra-Newbery. “When we show up together, we acknowledge that each issue feeds a system that oppresses and binds us all. When we show up together for each other, we put cracks in the foundations of those systems. This is what an intersectional movement looks like.”
Women and their allies took to the streets in Lusaka, Zambia, Marching for a women’s right to control her body and live free from violence; in The Federated States of Micronesia, Marching for Climate Justice; In Oslo Norway; In Sofia, Bulgaria; and in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
With the tragic bushfires burning through Australia, the Australian contingent of Women’s March Global did not hold Events. Women’s March Sydney released a statement directing people to donate to First Nations communities affected by the bushfires. Women’s March Saskatoon is fundraising for the same charity in solidarity.
Women’s March Global is partnered with SheDecides, Amnesty International, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Equality Now, Planned Parenthood Global, The WOW Foundation, Marie Stopes UK, Men Engage Alliance and Minority Veterans of America for this year’s March.