Photo Credit: Reuters

 

Thousands of women took to the streets in USA to protest against Donald Trump, the president of the United States, as he completed one year in office.

Additionally, a huge number of people picked up the baton from the United States and rallied in solidarity with women raising their voice against equality, justice and an end to sexual harassment.

The women were joined by their male supporters. Rallies were organised in Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and over 250 other cities.

The women’s march was essentially a mark of protest against sexual harassment, misconduct and exploitation after a series of scandals surfaced, involving men in power exploiting women sexually.

Placards were seen carrying messages such as “We Are Powerful” and “Time’s Up”.

Many viewed this March as a significant representation of 2018 as a year of women’s rights – running in tandem with the #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns going strong on the social media globally.

A bevy of celebrities joined the march and lent their voice to the campaign. Amongst them were Scarlett Johansson, Natalie Portman who spoke about being sexually objectified in her childhood, Eva Longoria, Olivia Munn, Viola Davis to name just a few.
Eva said about the March that “This March and this movement is far more ambitious in scope and scale and it extends beyond one political actor or even one political party. What we’re calling for is sustainable and systematic change to the experience of women and girls in America. A change from fear and intimidation to respect. From pain and humiliation to safety and dignity. From marginalisation to equal pay and representation.”

Scarlett Johansson, an active advocate for women’s rights said in her speech during the march in LA, “No more pandering. No more feeling guilty over hurting someone ‘s feelings when something doesn’t feel right for me. I have made a promise to myself to be responsible to myself, that in order to trust my instincts, I must first respect them”.

The march brought together women of all colours, age, race and economic status. They stood together to fight together. They fought against submissiveness, raising a collective voice for all the women who were nameless and faceless. They protested strongly against workplace inequities and misogynistic abuse.

Sometimes the most influential people in one’s life are women. It’s time women stopped cowering against the blatant power men exhibit. The time has come when we must not be defined by our gender.

The first such march was held on January 21, 2017, to protest against injustice against women and inadequate legislation and policies on human rights and women’s rights, LGBT rights among others. It was the largest single day protest in the history of USA. This year despite extremely cold weather and sleet, hail and rain, the protestors came out in large numbers. One placard read : “Sorry for the inconvenience. we’re trying to change the world “.

The march would culminate in Las Vegas in a rally of potentially one million voters. Women all over the world are at the edge of change – huge positive change in their rights. They are at the brink of reclaiming an equal status in society.

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Vinita Agarwal

Editor, Womaninc