On Saturday, January 19, people all over the world will come together to march in support of women’s rights.
The first Women’s March on Washington in 2017, accompanied by sister marches all over the world, protested the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. It remains an annual global march to raise awareness for many issues that women face daily around the world. The theme of this year’s march is #WomensWave.
The local march, Women’s March Muskoka, focuses on combating violence and sexual assault against women and girls, fair wages, rights for LGBTQI people, and justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
“In 2017, 25 women marched in Muskoka. In 2018, we had 125 people march with us in support of women’s rights and presence at the table. This year, we would love to see the turnout maintain this growth! We are hoping for a wave of 400 women, men, and children to stand up for women,” said activist and volunteer Kathleen May.
The 2019 Women’s March Muskoka will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 19 at Huntsville Place Mall. Participants are encouraged to arrive around 12:30 p.m. to hear the speakers, purchase merchandise, and learn more about what the Women’s March hopes to accomplish in Muskoka.
“With any type of activism, you look forward to the day your work is no longer necessary,” said May. “But unfortunately, this work is still needed…our women’s shelters are overcapacity with women fleeing abuse and affordable housing is a faraway dream for too many. Indigenous women, lesbian bi and trans women, women with developmental delays, and women experiencing mental health or addictions issues are marginalized and oppressed in our very community.”
Everyone who supports this mission is encouraged to march. Keep an eye out for details on the Women’s March Muskoka Facebook event page here.
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Bernard Kelly says
Having lived in Huntsville 7 yrs I’ve witnessed first-hand sexual discrimination against men.. let’s begin with the men’s shelter, ..!!! Oh no silly me ye closed that within a yr cos us men obviously don’t need it, how about the family court system !!! Yip all geared towards women as well , as I was told by a native lawyer if u have a pair of balls ur doomed in Canada and it’s why he never married they can say what they like against a man and its taken nearly as gospel & get us hard working guys thrown out of our house for no reason, getting a restraining order against a man is as easy as getting a pint of milk in freshco.
Rob Millman says
LGBTQI? Is this the approved change to LGBTQ2W? I assume that the “I” represents Indigenous, which is also what the “2W” does; so why bother? Also, including women with intellectual, developmental disabilities, and women with mental health/addiction disabilities is a mistake; not being a gender issue. Their inclusion will dilute the thrust of your message; which is sufficiently multi-faceted already.
Dave Cureton says
Gentlemen the march was organized by women for their agenda and celebration. it’s not the time nor place to be divisive , critical or to tout the many issues you may have (really restraining orders are as easy to get as a pint of milk?)