March-ing towards Inclusive Society

As the world moves ahead to mark International Women's Day, the clock on women's rights continues to tick.

This month of the year, we MARCH to celebrate women's contributions to social, political, and economic change. As well as we march to remind women that the fight for gender equality is not yet won. The month-long celebration is also an invitation to listen to women who have been suffering in silence for far too long.

On International Women's Month, it is a must to let marginalized women tell their stories. Their stories speak of oppression but it does not end there. Such stories are a testament to their hard work and determination in attaining freedom, equality, and a sustainable future not only for themselves but also for their co-workers; their entire communities; the younger generation; as well as their fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons. The latter proves that the fight for gender equality should not be fought by women and girls alone. To put an end to inequality, men and boys must also learn and understand women's rights, advocate for diversity and inclusion, and unlearn gender-based stereotypes.

In a society where gender roles are rigid and predetermined before one's birth, most everyone faces some form of institutional trauma from not confirming to such standards. The fact that gender-based trauma and violence are created and produced in all institutions (political, economic, social, and religious) ignites our fire to keep fighting for gender justice because it affects everyone.

Unbridled sexism and gender-based violence and oppression continue to this day, which ultimately leads to the suffering of billions of women, girls, and people all over the world. Debates on abortion and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SHRH) continue to be led by traditional politicians whose interests lie in maintaining the status quo, women and children continue to be among the poorest in society, and gender-based violence continues to be created and replicated within institutions. This is why Women's Month and the feminist movement continue to be relevant and significant for all people.

It is a celebration of the hard-won gains of the women and people who have come before us, who paved the way for the life that we are living today. It also celebrates the women and people who continue the feminist struggle today.

Women's Month is an avenue for women to renew their promise to continue their legacy and to keep the struggle alive. Despite the multiple ways in which the patriarchy and the neoliberal capitalist system have divided us, we will continue to find ways to advance our call for freedom, justice, and equality as we MARCH forward together to an inclusive society.