Why are these women shouting?
Why are they so hysterical?
Why so much noise on March 8th?
International Women’s Day was born from a labor struggle and a transcontinental collaboration of women. Some people celebrate women on this day, while others say we shouldn’t—because this is a day to fight.
In my opinion, it can be both: a celebration and a fight. We shouldn’t just congratulate women; we should also acknowledge the origins of the fight for women’s rights—because that fight continues today.
International Women’s Day, now commemorated worldwide, wasn’t born from a single event but from many. Strikes, demonstrations, and protests for labor rights happened alongside international gatherings of socialist women.
The fight has always been more than just pro-woman—it has also been anti-war, anti-capitalism, and anti-patriarchal state.
But why does this fight persist?
Women can vote. They have access to education. They can work outside the home, have their own bank accounts, use birth control, and own property.
So, what more do these women want?
We want to be free. And in this patriarchal world, we are not free. That’s why we march.
We are not free because we are harassed, assaulted, raped, and murdered. And when we raise our voices to say, “no more,” we are called hysterical, intense, toxic, crazy.
The fight continues because the patriarchal system still exists, and within this system, it’s not just about inequality—there is far too much violence against women.
When we demand freedom, people say, “but you’re already free.” But the truth is, if we can’t leave our homes without fear of harassment, assault, or abuse—we are not free.
We will not be free until no woman is murdered by her partner, ex-partner, or family member.
That’s why we march.
We are not free when women who kill their abusers in self-defense receive harsher prison sentences than men who kill their partners—despite the fact that 90% of women imprisoned for homicide were abused by the men they killed.
We are not free when women are jailed for suffering pregnancy losses—serving longer sentences than men convicted of femicide.
We are not free when we cannot share our stories without being judged, criticized, blamed, or accused of lying.
We will be free when we no longer have to insist: NO to violence, NO to harassment, NO to femicide. We will be free when we are safe in our streets and our homes.
We will be free when no one is at risk of being murdered simply for being born in a female body—the same bodies that bring all human beings into the world.
For thousands of years, we have been silenced, isolated in cages of abuse, and oppressed by a violent system. But now, we are in the midst of a great cultural shift—where women across the world are building networks of support, connecting through our shared experiences.
We have realized that, even though speaking up puts us at risk, we will no longer be silent.
The rights we have today exist because generations of women before us took to the streets, raised their voices, and demanded what they deserved.
The fight continues.
The fight is intersectional and inclusive, embracing visibility for all women—including trans women, who are our sisters too, as well as non-binary people.
The fight remains anti-war, anti-colonialism, anti-oppressive states, and anti-neoliberal terrorism.
The fight is pro-planet—because if we don’t fight for Mother Earth, where will we live? Where will future generations live?
We all deserve equal rights, access, representation, and visibility.
We all deserve to live free from violence—at home, in the streets, at work, and in public spaces.
We all deserve to be valued.
Originally Published in Mujeres Fuertes Autodefensa.
