Data from: Women’s March Global https://www.womensmarchglobal.com/
The 2018 Women’s March Global turned out to be an even more surprisingly bigger event than expected. Millions of men and women from 34 countries led 120 marches across the continents to send a strong and loud message that women’s rights are human rights.
As we move forward in 2018, how can we capture the momentum and continue the effort to lead the world to a more balanced place? The Women’s March Global shares with us their missions:
- Health – the organization focuses on the reproductive freedom and universal health coverage reproductive decisions. Beyond the mission, i also believe that health should cover a bigger scope. Some women across the global are lacking of basic health care. There are many myths around the world that associate menstruation as demons or evil spirit attacks. In Sri Lanka, some communities still practice puberty rituals, which girls having their first periods undergo a series of processes including physical seclusion, dietary restrictions from “rich foods”, given a metal to ward off demons, etc.
- Economic Security – while the organization supports the dismantling of barriers that obstruct women in global economic system. This includes providing living wage, gender parity, humane, equitable working conditions. While equal pay for equal work or equal opportunities are necessary discussion, I also encourage us to strike for empowerment and to provide the necessary resources to enable the underprivileged groups to access the means to economic security. Education is fundamental to building a strong foundation to financial security. Many girls around the world are still deprived from basic education
- Representation – women are consistently underrepresented, says the organization, which i could not agree more. Whether at governmental organizations, communities, private enterprises, or households, women are under-represented by all means. Unless we, the men and women, recognize the needs to have fair representation, we will continue to suffer from an unbalanced society. Later, i will write a blog that talks about the business case of fair representation in an enterprise.
- Safety – last but not least, women deserve to live a safe life free from all forms of violations. Not only sexual harassment and assaults, but also verbal, psychological, financial harms and sufferings. Violence against women is violence of human rights. We stand strong for the believe to protect this basic human rights.
As the close of the 2018 Women’s March Global, we look forward to the next event in 2019. However, many have questioned whether this is a momentum or it has become a moment. I screamed out loud with joy that it’s about time! But more importantly, we need to continue to act bravely one small step at a time.