Women's History Month

Written by:  Karallyn Fitisone
During this month honoring Women’s History, we reflect on all of the women and individuals who came before us to fight for our rights. On March 8th there was a global celebration or recognition of International Women’s Day. On this day we celebrate the social, cultural, political, and economic achievements of women and rally to promote gender equity, and show support for women who are still fighting for their rights. All throughout the world we see many instances of women fighting for their rights:

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Iran, Women fighting a revolution: (PC: Social Media) Context: (L) 22 year old Masha Amini is pictured. She died in September 2022 soon after having been arrested/beaten by Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating hijab law - causing widespread protests demanding justice for Masha and basic civil rights/freedoms for all women.

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Worldwide, Women consistently fight for their rights: Some Examples

• Chinese Govt. Population policies: forced abortions or forced pregnancies based on countries needs
• Qatar criminalizing extramarital sex - primarily targeting women
• Russia and Turkey limiting/decreasing protections against domestic violence
• Mexico - government data showing more than 10 females are slain on average everyday in Mexico

 
What can we do about it?
Educate ourselves and stay informed on the challenges that women face throughout the world. We can also learn about their rights and how we can take action and or help in their fights for their rights.

• Countries with the top crises for women’s rights: Afghanistan, Iran, Yemes, Chad, Syria, South Sudan, Pakistan, Somalia
• Donate to groups that work toward equity (fighting for the protection of women’s rights)

Make sure your fight for women’s rights includes trans women! Trans women (especially trans women of color) are subject to some of the most violence and restrictive legislation throughout the world and it is important that we include ALL women in important conversations about women’s rights- cisgender, transgender, and women of color. (PC: James Daniel, ACLU)

With approximately 2 and a half months into the year of 2023, there have been numerous legislative efforts in the United States that aim to limit the rights of women and even legislation targeting and harming trans-women. It has been explored and discussed before, the relationship and intersections of LGBTQ+ and feminist movements. They exist from similar root causes which are the ill-treatment of individuals because of their gender orientation and sexual orientation. These similarly rooted causes have contributed to the movements often being jointly fought. It is our hope that we continue to dismantle harmful beliefs of gender defining our roles and worth in society.