The Significance of the Women's March

     In the wake of  Donald Trump’s inauguration, thousands of men and women participated in the Women’s March. The protest was not limited to only the major cities of the United States, but rather occurred globally, even reaching parts of Antarctica. Protesters addressed issues such as the wage gap, sexist policies, and abortion. The Women’s March targets a flaw in our society- the lack of representation for females. 
    Representation is a prime reason why protests advocating for equal rights are vital. When millions of people, all of different races, religions, and social and economic standings, come together as a community fighting for a single cause it shows that we are more than willing to demand the rights that have unjustly been taken from us. Sexism is an issue that plagues third-world and first-world countries alike. In some countries sexism exists in the form of a wage gap and the denial of certain positions under the pretense that women are not capable, in others it exists in the refusal of education for girls and a lack of choice. Although conditions have improved significantly over the past few decades, females are still denied basic rights. Time and time again, it has been made clear that females will continuously be denied these rights if we do not actively fight for them.
      Recent political events have left advocates for equality at a great disadvantage, we are a minority in the government. Without a strong position of feminism in the ruling body, the threat of an even more powerful patriarchy is imminent. Hundreds of years of progress are at risk and with every passing day a chance to equal rights seems to be moving farther and farther away. Our refusal to submit to regression is the only way to prevent sexism from becoming more acceptable in our society than it already is. For this reason, protests are essential to the survival of the feminist movement.  Protests such as the Women’s March help to prove that advocates for equal rights  will not stop fighting and help to cultivate a feeling of community and hope. By banding together, protesters show their strength and represent the views of millions of people worldwide, proving to the world that our voices will be heard.
​    - Akshaya