On Wednesday, women in more than 30 countries will act together for equity, justice and the human rights of women and all gender-oppressed people, through a one-day demonstration of economic solidarity.
Organizers of the national Women’s March have joined forces with the International Women’s Strike USA for an event they call “A Day Without a Woman.” The group’s website says it will be the fourth of 10 protest actions slated for the Trump administration’s first 100 days.
“Recognizing the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system – while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment and job insecurity,” the Women’s March website says. “We recognize that trans and gender-nonconforming people face heightened levels of discrimination, social oppression and political targeting. We believe in gender justice.”
They are asking supporters – including the more than 500,000 women who signed up to their lists after the January 21 protests – to take three actions next Wednesday:
1. Take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor
2. Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority-owned businesses).
3.Wear red to show solidarity.
The event will be a major test of the movement.
“If the strike fizzles, critics will likely say the Women’s March was a single day of post-election catharsis, rather than a durable new political force,” according to an article on the Buzzfeed website. “Organizers have acknowledged that walking off work requires more sacrifice and commitment than taking part in the original March, which took place on a weekend.”
“’We realize that many women in our most vulnerable communities or whose jobs provide essential services, including reproductive health services, will not have the ability to join the strike’,” Fassady Fendlay, a spokesperson for the Women’s March, told BuzzFeed.
In light of this, the movement has asked its supporters who employ workers to let them participate and that “households that rely on caregivers, nannies, housekeepers and elder care grant a paid day off in a show of respect and solidarity for the importance of care work.”
VI Sisters, the local offshoot of the national Women’s March group, is participating in the”Day Without a Woman.” organizer Nia Hazell said. She encouraged anyone participating, to contact her at 340-344-4603 or to post on the VISisters Facebook www.Facebook.com/VI with a photo to show support.
Because many won’t be able to leave work for the day, Hazell said, women are encouraged to wear red to show their support. One local business, Scoops and Brew in the Crown Bay Marina, is offering fresh brewed coffee to anyone who wears red in solidarity, (including guys).
She is hopeful other businesses will participate by reviewing their personnel policies impacting women such as equal pay and paid leave, Hazell added.
