Around 600 people in Guadalajara joined in a worldwide “strike” to highlight gender inequality and violence toward women on International Women’s Day, March 8.
The idea of women taking the day off to mark the occasion to clamor for greater rights had mixed success in more than 100 cities across the globe where events were planned. That was not the case in New York City, one of the largest gatherings, where hundreds of women turned up to rally against the government and policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Guadalajara event began at midday with talks and workshops on women’s issues at the Glorieta Niños Heroes. After a lively procession along Guadalajara’s Avenida Juarez accompanied by the rhythmic sound of batacuda band, the marchers reached the Plaza de la Liberacion, where women held aloft dozens of placards with catchy slogans and touching on multiple themes. Among them: “We don’t want flowers, we want rights.” “Neither victims or submissive. Combative women.” “Being a woman shouldn’t be a risk factor.” “Why are you afraid when we open our mouths but not when we open our legs.”
Many of the women – and a handful of men and children – wore purple clothing or accessories, a color closely associated with the suffragette movement.
The major thrust of the protest was to draw attention to the increasing problem of violence toward women in Mexico, and the impotence of authorities to address the issue in any meaningful way.
Later that day, Jalisco Governor Aristoteles Sandoval held a press conference to reveal a five-point plan aimed specifically at dealing with violence toward women more effectively and consistently. The concrete actions he promised to implement included setting up a fund to assist the children of femicide (murdered women) victims and coordinating with municipalities to establish common guidelines regarding the handling of domestic violence cases and policy.