We’re Still Here 5 Years Later — and We Won’t Back Down
Last year we listened, now it’s time to act. #WeWontBackDown
Women’s March Global started off being known for annual marches. But last year, with the pandemic making it dangerous for women to take to the streets, we adapted and managed to mobilise powerfully in a different way by launching the Global Count: the largest digital poll of women and gender-diverse people. We asked you what the most critical issues you and your local community face that present barriers to equality — as well as which movements are currently doing great work to advance this in your local areas.
The poll attracted respondents from 173 countries across the world and the Interim Findings were cited by the UN Generation Equality Forum as an example of accountability — holding the world accountable to the priorities set out, by and for women and gender-diverse people.
As WMG’s 6th anniversary approaches, against the backdrop of all that has happened in the past year, we want to harness this moment to tell the world that women remain united in the fight for equality. That Women’s March Global and women and gender-diverse people are still here.
We are here pushing for our equality, our safety, and our civil rights. Our collective presence will be felt across major landmarks across countries and continents — and of course, digitally — whether or not marches can take place.
Building on Last Year
Last year we listened, now it’s time to act.
We’re still pushing for progress around the barriers to progress 30,000+ women identified worldwide last year through Global Count. The elimination of Violence, Harassment, and Abuse was the top issue and therefore the issue that — unfortunately — most unites women across continents, seeming to affect all women and gender-diverse people and their communities in some way.
Our situations, problems, and personal stories differ — but we are here and we are united across countries with the same overarching goal for equality and justice. It is this statement of strength and solidarity that we would like to get across in this year’s action.
Where not possible to physically mobilise — either due to pandemic restrictions or quite simply because some places women still cannot safely speak out for equality — we encourage all allies from all countries to mobilise however is possible and safe in each context.
How You Can Join Us
Let’s SPEAK UP with posters, on social media, and where possible, with local vigils and events.
This year, we are acting in solidarity in easy ways online, from home, or responsibly in public — from our anniversary on January 21st, right up until International Women’s Day on March 8th.
There are three ways to participate:
- Post a picture of yourself, with your arms up in the solidarity pose — tagging us and using the #WeWontBackDown hashtag — and using the Facebook frame that will be available, if on Facebook.
- Take photos in front of well-known landmarks in your city or in front of a government. building in solidarity pose — and post them on Facebook.
- Create a small vigil in your town to unite together in the solidarity pose and march. Post photos of yourself tagging WMG.
To mobilise digitally, we have put together this toolkit of resources. And if you would like to organise a local vigil or event then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us — and be sure to share photos, tagging our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and using the #WeWontBackDown hashtag so that we can see and amplify your activities!
Overall, we want to show our solidarity with all women, gender-diverse people, and allies to form a united front against injustice and inequities of all kinds.
Are you with us? Find out more below!
