Why are we striking?

Because this year our political demands matter more than ever. The COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated what women’s rights movements have been denouncing for decades: the intersecting violations and deepening crises inherent to a patriarchal, racist and capitalist system that has relegated the well-being of women and their communities behind perpetual pursuit of profit and short-term gain.

Because the promises made by our governments to advance equality, development and peace for all women was not kept, women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world.

Because International Women’s Day is a day when women have risen up and protested, putting their lives at risk to defend their human rights and fundamental freedoms. We want to honour that history, reclaim the day and revive women’s collective power to demand our human rights.

Because the right to strike is a recognised human right and we know that throughout history, strikes have been an effective tactic for harnessing the power of movements to affect change. In the past, strikes have fostered, revived and strengthened solidarity across issues and movements to change structural oppression, whether it be patriarchy, neoliberal, globalization, militarism, fundamentalisms or environmental destruction.

How can we strike?

Withdraw from formal work: do not go to your workplace or leave your workplace at an agreed time with your colleagues on March 8, 2022. 

Withdraw from care work: do not do housework, domestic responsibility, and where necessary ask male partners and allies to show solidarity by taking over responsibilities for home, family and community.

Slow down your work: Where it is not possible to completely withdraw from work, slow down your work as a form of protest.

Organise a virtual rally or meeting: Due to the COVID19 pandemic, in-person rallies and meetings will be limited to country’s whose gathering guidelines permit it. To ensure everyone’s safety, we suggest you adhere to your country’s gathering guidelines and practice COVID-19 safety protocols and measures.

Organise or participate in a virtual rally or meeting. Follow our social media accounts to stay informed on virtual meetings or rallies. 

For more exciting ideas on how we can strike, read our publication ‘A Dangerous Unselfishness - Learning from Strike Actions’ which documents 40 examples of politically significant strikes around the world and over generations.

If you have some other exciting and powerful ideas for strikes, do not hesitate to contact us at info@womensglobalstrike.com. We are committed to making this journey a collective and powerful one with all women around the world!