The Women’s March Global Fifth Annual Event has finally arrived! This year, our world looks a bit different, and many of us cannot march — but we will ALL be counted.

The day of Women’s March Global’s anniversary is coming up on 21 January. This year, our world looks a bit different, and many of us cannot march due to the pandemic. But after human rights authorities declared in 2020 that gender-based violence and inequities in the workplace are as bad as they were 25 years ago, we knew we had to organise for collective action. We are partnering with a number of organisations this year, to mobilise like we’ve never done before for women’s human rights, in a digital event launching 21 January.

As we enter into this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we’re putting a spotlight on what’s happening in the regions where Women’s March Global chapters are based.

by Doreen Akiyo Yomoah

Bodily autonomy is a crucial issue. Indeed, the right to control our own bodies is the place where most of our intersecting struggles meet. However, in the debate over bodily autonomy in France, certain voices are almost completely ignored: those of people of colour, Muslims, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, fat people, and sex workers… In this context, we also need to take a much harder look at how colonialism affects the right of certain bodies to exist in French society. This year, we wanted to hold a round table instead of a march so that we could sit down with local activists and engage in some in-depth discussions about the current situation in France and how we can concretely advance human rights. Indeed, after the round table, we will write an opinion piece to be submitted to one of the large newspapers in which we will summarize the major points of the conversation and the specific actions we now need to take.

We have partnered with SheDecides, Amnesty International, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Planned Parenthood Global, Equality Now and Minority Veterans of America, Marie Stopes International & WOW — Women of the World Festival for the 2020 March for Our Human Rights. These international organisations are committed to advocating for the advancement of women’s rights and provide invaluable resources and services to women in need across the world.

It’s the 8th of Jan 2020 and there’s a distinct feeling that movement organisers are collectively tired. The past three years have been intense on so many levels. Throughout it all, we have stayed true to the purpose of grassroots organising and have continued to show up, speak out, unite, and put our bodies on the line for our collective liberation. The cost has been our mental and emotional fatigue, physical exhaustion, burn out……..

Starting in October we teamed up with Les Glorieuses to talk about why money matters for gender equality. There is a desperate need for more transparency when it comes to these discussions and our goal is to provide a global perspective.

Last week, Women’s March Harare participated in ICPD25 (The International Conference on Population and Development), The Nairobi Summit. The summit centred around five themes:

This week we’re asking the question — How will you start the next decade of activism? — and are calling on you, our Global Community, to join us on 18 January 2020 to March for Our Human Rights.