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Everything to know about the women’s strikes on International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is on Wednesday, March 8, and worldwide, women are celebrating by doing absolutely nothing. 

Strikes highlighting gender inequality and labor reform have been called across the country and around the globe, along with smaller protests and actions, all under the dual umbrellas of International Women’s Strike and A Day Without a Woman.

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements that’s been around since 1908. 

Women have been striking on International Women’s Day since 1917, Ashley Bohrer, a co-organizer for International Women’s Strike U.S., said in a phone interview. 

The Women’s March on Washington organizers announced A Day Without a Woman in early February, on the heels of their national demonstration for human rights on Jan. 21, 2017. 

A Day Without a Woman rests on the intersectional feminism espoused by the Women’s March on Washington. 

The strike, however, is slightly different: Women are asked to refrain from doing any kind of labor — paid or unpaid, physical or emotional. 

Alternatively or in addition, people can show solidarity with striking women by wearing red and refusing to shop, unless they do so at women-owned or small, local businesses. Read more (3/8/17 6:09 AM)

Can’t miss a day of work? Here’s how you can still participate in the women’s strike.

Many folks just can’t afford to risk losing their jobs or to give up a day’s wages. Thankfully, there are ways to participate without staying away from work or school.

If possible, avoid spending any money 

The organizers of A Day Without a Woman acknowledge that not everyone can take part in the same way. One of the ways they suggest participating is to avoid shopping at stores or online for the duration of the day, with the exception of “small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses that support us.”

If you can avoid it, don’t do any housework either

Organizers of the International Women’s Strike suggest strike participants should “leave care and housework for the day,” if they can. 

Research has shown that, in straight couples, women are overwhelmingly expected to do stereotypical duties like childcare, cooking and laundry.

Wear red

Organizers of a Day Without a Woman and the U.S. branch of the International Women’s Strike are also asking people to participate in the day by wearing red, if they can. 

Red was chosen as the day’s official color because, according to A Day Without a Woman organizers, it symbolizes “revolutionary love and sacrifice” and “is the color of energy and action associated with our will to survive.”

Give a caregiver the day off

If you or your household employ any women as a caregiver, nanny, babysitter or housekeeper, give them Wednesday off.

Are you a male ally? Act like one

The freedom to protest needs to be protected more than ever. (x)