By Sera Gurzumar, Year 11
On January 20, like the year before, women, men and children gathered to protest against President Donald Trump’s policies. From New York to Los Angeles, and Chicago to D.C, millions of people marched together in unity.
The march was also a part of the #Time’s Up movement, a campaign to end sexual harassment.
Various celebrities made speeches. Natalie Portman shared the story of how her first fan mail at age 13, was a rape fantasy a man had sent her, and Halsey’s speech was like a war cry, that needed to be heard. Her poem on sexual harassment was very moving.
Despite the freezing temperatures, thousands gathered to fight for their rights.
“Beautiful weather all over our great country, a perfect day for all Women to March. Get out there now to celebrate the historic milestones and unprecedented economic success and wealth creation that has taken place over the last 12 months. Lowest female unemployment in 18 years!” Trump wrote on his Twitter the day of the march.
“Without Hermione, Harry would have died in the first book.”, “Women’s Rights are Human Rights.” and “#Why do I march? So that my daughter won’t have to say #MeToo”, were among the slogans.
Europe, Asia and Africa had marches in parallel to the ones in the US. Every 98 seconds, a person is sexually harassed in America. Every 8 minutes, one of those victims is a child. These aren’t problems seen only in the US, sexual harassment is everywhere. Globally, 35% of women have experienced physical or sexual violence.
It gives hope to see so many people come together in solidarity, voicing their opinions and standing against sexual harassment, violence towards women and women’s rights. Since 1993, sexual violence has fallen by a half. Let’s hope it completely disappears. We’ve come a long way in the fight, but there’s still some way to go.
The march wasn’t an ending, it was a beginning, because more women are daring to speak up.
