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.

On 18 January 2020, women and allies around the world will join the fourth annual march of Women’s March Global, a yearly event that brings together inspired, international change-makers committed to fighting for equality, justice, and human rights worldwide.

A High Course in Belfast has ruled that Northern Ireland’s current abortion rules breach UK human rights law. Current laws determine that abortion is only legal if a woman’s life is at risk, or if there’s a risk of serious damage to her physical or mental health. Sarah Ewart challenged the law after being denied an abortion in Northern Ireland in 2013, even though doctors had said her unborn child would not survive outside the womb. In the judges, Justice Keegan stated that other women should not have to face the same “trauma and pain”.

Last week the Free Saudi Activists Coalition — of which Women’s March Global is a member, together with Lina al-Hathloul (sister of imprisoned WHRD Loujain al-Hathloul), has been taking action at the 42nd Human Rights Council to continue advocacy efforts to free imprisoned Saudi Activists.