Feminist and women's rights advocate, fighting the patriarchy for a more just, gender equal and violence-free world.
There is so much power in marching and protesting. And hail to all the women and people still protesting for women's rights. I've had alot of conversations with friends and colleagues over the past few months particularly, questioning the value and purpose of protests. I've engaged in countless protests in my years, for women's rights in particular abortion rights; against violence against women; for Indigenous rights and reconciliation; for refugees and asylum seekers; for Palestine even back when it wasn't being decimated; against the wars in Darfur, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine; for LGBTIQ+ rights and marriage equality; for racial equality; against Islamophobia; and many more. Here's what I think about protests: 1. Protesting is a fundamental human right. And exercising that right should be promoted, protected, celebrated. 2. It is loud. It disrupts. And as it should. Change only comes from challenging the status quo and shaking is out of the comfort of everyday life. 3. It questions authority, power, and control - who has control, over whom, and for what purpose and end. 4. It keeps an issue on the agenda, it keeps people talking, it keeps it in sight and not out of mind. 5. It gives a sense of control in a world where the average person can feel helpless about what to do to impact social change. 6. It is solidarity in action. One voice, one protester may be ignored. But when it is in the millions, it can show those oppressed that they are not alone, that there are millions of people thinking about them, and lending their voice, and feet, to call for action. And it can show the oppressor/s that they do not represent. 7. And in a year where there are the most elections occurring globally, protests and protesting will count more than ever. Hail to all the feminists protesting. Hail to the women demanding equal rights, the right to abortions, and an end to violence against women. Hail to all the people protesting the wars in Gaza, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, DRC. Often the same people because there is no peace without women. #womensrightsarehumanrights #CeasefireNowInGaza #ceasefirenow #freepalestine #keepeyesonsudan #iwd2024 Human Rights Watch Amnesty International NGO Committee on the Status of Women (NGO CSW/NY) FEMNET - African Women's Development and Communication Network Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) IfNotNow
On International Women's Day, we want to honor and celebrate women, thank women who uplift other women, and recognize those who understand the power of solidarity. Today, we commemorate together with People's Postcode Lottery and celebrate women around the world! #IWD24
