Golden

Today is International Women’s Day. And while it is a day to celebrate women and their achievements, this day started as a protest, and it’s important to remember that.

To remember why we need an IWD.

For all the women who have died because they didn’t have access to contraception, or abortion, or medical care.

For all the women who live without access to sanitary products, because they can’t afford them or they’re not available or for cultural reasons.

For the women who are raped for trying to escape war, as payment or as punishment.

For the women who are abused and told their word means nothing, their experiences mean nothing, their lives are worth less than their attackers’.

For the women who, rather than facing a pay gap, are not allowed to work at all, or to drive a car, or to own a home.

For the women who are little more than property, cattle, who cannot make their own choices or live their own lives.

For the girls who are killed before they are born, or as babies, because they had the misfortune to be born without a penis.

For the women who had their children stolen away from them, and were never given anything back.

For the women unfairly imprisoned.

For the women told they’re not woman enough to be counted a woman, for trans women who don’t fit gender stereotypes, who don’t pass, and for those who do.