On January 21, 2017, a day after the presidential inauguration in the United States, thousands of women gathered together to voice their concerns regarding the newly elected US President Donald Trump. The women led protest, which aimed to highlight the misogynistic political culture evident during Trump’s campaign and the inequality faced by the people of colour, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community, began as a Facebook post after the election and soon spread across the world making it one of America’s biggest protests, The Guardian reported.
ALSO READ: Beyond Rocket Boys, The Inspiring Rocket Women Of India’s Space History
From mass protests to marches, women have initiated and led acts of resistance and rebellion in the past. On International Women’s day, let’s take a look at some of the powerful women led protests that changed history.
Women’s Suffrage Movement in 1913
The women’s suffrage movement was a women led uprising that took place in the United States in 1913….
The women’s suffrage movement was a women led uprising that took place in the United States in 1913. The protests, which led to a decade long movement, were fought to win the right to vote for women. Several activists and reformers got together to campaign for women’s right to vote, which triggered more marches including the 1915 New York demonstration. After years of protests, in 1920, women were finally granted the right to vote.
Read Less
Icelandic women’s strike
To raise their voice against wage discrepancy and unfair employment, on 24 October 1975 women in Ice…
To raise their voice against wage discrepancy and unfair employment, on 24 October 1975 women in Iceland went on a strike where they not only did not go to work but also refused to do household activities such as cook, clean and look after the children. According to The Guardian, on the day of the strike, over 25,000 women walked the streets of Reykjavik protesting against inequality and 90% women did not go to work that day. Post the protests, a law guaranteeing equal pay was passed by Iceland’s parliament.
Read Less
Poland Protests Against Abortion Ban
In 2016, thousands of women in Poland stood up against the abortion ban by that restricted abortion …
In 2016, thousands of women in Poland stood up against the abortion ban by that restricted abortion access throughout the country with a sentence of up to five years on any woman who underwent the procedure. The restriction triggered marches and protests in the country and women, dressed in black attires, took to the streets and protested. It is reported that the protests were inspired by the 1975 Iceland women’s protests and several women boycotted their jobs to take part in the protest. Post the protests, the parliament backtracking and rejected the total ban.
Read Less
Women’s March 1956
Over 20,000 women marched on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1956 to protest again…
Over 20,000 women marched on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1956 to protest against the laws that attempted to limit the movement of black people. According to reports, the protests were conducted to raise their voice against Apartheid pass laws for black women in 1952. The protests were a great success with the laws being repealed in 1986.
Read Less
Protests Against Gender Based Violence
Hundreds of thousands of women in Argentina gathered together to protest against gender based violen…
Hundreds of thousands of women in Argentina gathered together to protest against gender based violence. The protests were triggered by two incidents — a 14-year-old pregnant girl beaten to death by her boyfriend and the gruesome rape of a 16-year-old. The NiUnaMenos, which translates to “not one less” started as a slogan and soon turned into a hashtag that was used to protest against violence. Post the protests, a registry of femicides was established.
Read Less
For more trending stories, click here.
On January 21, 2017, a day after the presidential inauguration in the United States, thousands of women gathered together to voice their concerns regarding the newly elected US President Donald Trump. The women led protest, which aimed to highlight the misogynistic political culture evident during Trump’s campaign and the inequality faced by the people of colour, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community, began as a Facebook post after the election and soon spread across the world making it one of America’s biggest protests, The Guardian reported.ALSO READ: Beyond Rocket Boys, The Inspiring Rocket Women Of India’s Space HistoryFrom mass protests to marches, women have initiated and led acts of resistance and rebellion in the past. On International Women’s day, let’s take a look at some of the powerful women led protests that changed history.Wikimedia Commons/flickr.comWomen’s Suffrage Movement in 1913The women’s suffrage movement was a women led uprising that took place in the United States in 1913…. Read MoreThe women’s suffrage movement was a women led uprising that took place in the United States in 1913. The protests, which led to a decade long movement, were fought to win the right to vote for women. Several activists and reformers got together to campaign for women’s right to vote, which triggered more marches including the 1915 New York demonstration. After years of protests, in 1920, women were finally granted the right to vote.Read LessUnsplashIcelandic women’s strikeTo raise their voice against wage discrepancy and unfair employment, on 24 October 1975 women in Ice… Read MoreTo raise their voice against wage discrepancy and unfair employment, on 24 October 1975 women in Iceland went on a strike where they not only did not go to work but also refused to do household activities such as cook, clean and look after the children. According to The Guardian, on the day of the strike, over 25,000 women walked the streets of Reykjavik protesting against inequality and 90% women did not go to work that day. Post the protests, a law guaranteeing equal pay was passed by Iceland’s parliament.Read LessReutersPoland Protests Against Abortion BanIn 2016, thousands of women in Poland stood up against the abortion ban by that restricted abortion … Read MoreIn 2016, thousands of women in Poland stood up against the abortion ban by that restricted abortion access throughout the country with a sentence of up to five years on any woman who underwent the procedure. The restriction triggered marches and protests in the country and women, dressed in black attires, took to the streets and protested. It is reported that the protests were inspired by the 1975 Iceland women’s protests and several women boycotted their jobs to take part in the protest. Post the protests, the parliament backtracking and rejected the total ban. Read LessReutersWomen’s March 1956Over 20,000 women marched on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1956 to protest again… Read MoreOver 20,000 women marched on the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, in 1956 to protest against the laws that attempted to limit the movement of black people. According to reports, the protests were conducted to raise their voice against Apartheid pass laws for black women in 1952. The protests were a great success with the laws being repealed in 1986.Read LessReutersProtests Against Gender Based Violence Hundreds of thousands of women in Argentina gathered together to protest against gender based violen… Read MoreHundreds of thousands of women in Argentina gathered together to protest against gender based violence. The protests were triggered by two incidents — a 14-year-old pregnant girl beaten to death by her boyfriend and the gruesome rape of a 16-year-old. The NiUnaMenos, which translates to “not one less” started as a slogan and soon turned into a hashtag that was used to protest against violence. Post the protests, a registry of femicides was established.Read LessFor more trending stories, click here.