This Wednesday, March 8th is International Women’s Day. To honor women, The Women’s March has launched a social action to advocate for women’s rights: A Day Without a Woman.
On A Day Without A Woman, the Women’s March is asking you to help make a statement that women of all backgrounds have an enormous contribution to our socio-economic system. While recognizing the value of women’s role in the socio-economic system, we also know that women receive lower wages and are vulnerable to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity. Here is how you can use your social and economic power to make a statement about the importance of women’s contributions:
- Women take the day off, from paid and unpaid labor.
- Avoid shopping for one day (with exceptions for small, women- and minority- owned businesses).
- Wear RED in solidarity with A Day Without A Woman.
If you choose to take the day off from work, you can use the template letter from the Women’s March for guidance on how to communicate to your employer: womensmarch.com/letter.
If you choose to participate in one of the other two ways, keep an eye out for fellow comrades on your commute wearing RED! Maybe strike up a conversation with a stranger in red and find some common ground to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The decision to take an absence from work is a thought-provoking and personal decision. The Women’s March stated, “We are inspired by recent courageous actions like the “Bodega strike” lead by Yemeni immigrant store owners in New York City and the Day Without Immigrants across the U.S.”
If you do decide to participate in A Day Without A Woman, know that you are not alone! This school in North Carolina, which has an employee base of 75% women, has already decided to shut its doors on March 8th due to the strike: newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article136063013.html.
One question may be lingering for those of you considering not going to work on Wednesday: what do I do on Wednesday instead? One option is to reach out to friends and colleagues who may be participating in the strike and invite them over for a Huddle. See the Women’s March guide for hosting a Huddle here: womensmarch.com/100/action2.
Don’t forget to use social media to amplify your statements, using #fordhamgss and #WomensMarch!
For more information, visit womensmarch.com/womensday.
Previous Actions
- Action 1: Write Your Senators
- Action 2: Huddle
- Action 3: Grassroots-Led Protests, Actions, and Meetings
Madeleine Lee MSW Student
