Women’s History Month: Stop the rising tide of violence against women

Latest

Valentines Day ONE BILLION RISING Dance Party Rally in Washington DC. Photo/Elvert Barnes Protest Photography
Valentines Day ONE BILLION RISING Dance Party Rally in Washington DC. Photo/Elvert Barnes Protest Photography


We need to address the epidemic of violence that is unleashed against women around the world, and the urgent need to take action to stop it. Because of their position in society, women are leaders of many of the movements for economic and social justice that are appearing everywhere. Women are poorer than men in all racial and ethnic groups. The attacks on women’s standard of living as a result of cutbacks in federal and state aid programs is leaving millions homeless and in abject poverty. Women led the teachers’ strike in Chicago, and are leading water struggles in Detroit, and the fight against foreclosures in the U.S. In Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, they’re fighting against the killings of young girls and women. In the Middle East they led rallies and marches during the Arab Spring. There are countless more examples.
The ruling class aims to disarm women leaders and make them examples to hold back these struggles. This new trend of governmental violence against women is part of their strategy to disrupt movements for social change. These perpetrators of State violence manhandle, beat, and even rape and kill women protestors in demonstrations, rallies and marches. It is part of the developing culture of fascism, and like the other forms of that culture, it rises from historical roots.
The attack on women is justified by male supremacy — a centuries-old cluster of ideas about women — that upholds and perpetuates a society in which women are not allowed to be equal to men. There is a long history of violence used to control women. In the U.S. today, there is a reported rape every 6.2 minutes. A woman is beaten every nine seconds in this country. It’s the number-one cause of injury to American women. Two million women are injured annually, with more than half a million requiring medical attention. Last year over 1000 women were murdered by their spouses and ex-spouses. Many of these crimes go unreported because women are afraid that their attackers will hurt them worse if they do, and because they know the courts are often prejudiced against them. Therefore, many violent crimes against women go unpunished.
This is a perfect seed-bed in which fascism can flourish. Human life no longer has the value it once had. This has its roots in an economy which no longer needs very many workers, now that robots and computers are replacing them by the millions. We are calling on our readers to begin to develop a culture to oppose this deadly fascist culture that is killing our people. When we are confronted with attacks on women we all must speak up – and step up – to stop them. We must all make sure that we are not holding on to ideas or attitudes that women are inferior to men, because this will prevent our movement from forming the unbreakable bond of unity that we need. We must fight for women’s equality now, so we can win a society that provides for all, where that equality can be won and secured.

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Journalist Says Why ‘I Can No Longer Work With Reuters’

A photojournalist says why it is impossible for her to maintain a relationship with Reuters "given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza."

Abrego Garcia Detained Again, Could be Deported to Uganda

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant worker, was freed from detention in Tennessee Aug. 22 and then re-arrested by ICE on Aug. 25 in Maryland. The Trump administration is trying to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda.

An Open Letter to Mayor Matt Mahan of San Jose, CA.

From the San Jose CA Frontlines: Stop the sweeps. Unhoused people want a safe place to stay. All people should be respected, shown compassion, understanding.

Global Food Authority Declares Catastrophic Famine in Gaza

On Aug. 22, the world's top authority on hunger crises officially declared that a catastrophe-level famine in Gaza exists—a humanitarian disaster engineered by Israel's relentless blockade of food aid and other life-saving supplies.

Thousands of Texans Protest Trump’s Redistricting Plan To Get More Votes

The Texas capitol of Austin saw 5,000 people protesting Trump’s unconstitutional redistricting plan and other issues threatening our democracy.

More from the People's Tribune