The fourth annual Women’s March happened on Saturday, and around the globe, people came together to advocate for change across critical social justice issues. Some of the principles the official Women’s March lists in its mission include civil rights, immigrants' rights, workers' rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, environmental justice, and more. These issues are not separate — they are all intertwined, and many believe we need to take an intersectional approach to the development and implementation of solutions. Canadian author, filmmaker, and activist Naomi Klein is one such believer.
Before introducing senator and presidential nominee Bernie Sanders to the crowd at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Women's March, Klein took the stage and spoke about why climate change — and many of the natural disasters occurring as a result — is a feminist issue.
“We have seen in the aftermath of all of the disasters that I've mentioned, that rates of domestic violence increase — that femicide, the killing of women increases — so of course, all of these issues are interrelated,” she said. She continued, saying that we need to recognize the work that many women do in these situations. “The other thing that we see is that women on the ground in these disaster zones are actually first responders. That it is nurses who are saving lives, that it is home care workers and teachers who are saving lives, saving the lives of the people they care for, of the kids that they teach in their schools.” Thus, Klein believes that when we’re talking about climate change as a women’s issue, other issues like militarism and workers' rights need to be considered, as well.
“That's why it is so exciting that we are finally talking about a truly transformational approach to crisis. And that is what the green new deal represents,” she continued. “It is, of course, a jobs plan. It is, of course, a climate plan. But I also see it as a profoundly feminist project, especially if we do it right the way the senator is proposing, especially if we link it with Medicare for All, right? Especially if we link it with universal childcare.” Klein went on to say that jobs like taking care of children and the elderly are often the most undervalued jobs in our culture because they’re considered “women's work,” but in reality, they require highly valuable skills.
“We need way more of these jobs, and we need to make sure that they're well-paying jobs, that they're unionized jobs, and that we value women's work,” she said, before introducing Sanders.
While introducing him to a cheering crowd, she said, “Bernie Sanders has been standing with women and defending women's rights for decades. He has been unwavering in his support for our right to control our bodies.” Sanders then took the stage and spoke about issues such as universal healthcare, raising the minimum wage, abortion rights, and student debt.
He closed his speech by saying, “The men have got to stand with the women. We are in this together...all women and men, gay and straight, black and white and Latino. We are in this together not only to defeat Trump, but to create the kind of nation that you and I know we can become.”
You can watch both of their speeches here.
Read more stories about social issues:
- Everything You Need to Know About the 2020 Women's March
- These Immigration Activists Prove On-the-Ground Support Is Crucial Amid Ongoing ICE Raids
- Where to Donate Money and Resources During the Devastating Australian Bushfires
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