M8 International Women's Strike// Paro Internacional de Mujeres

The International Women’s Strike on March 8th, 2017 is an international day of action, planned and organized by women in over 30 different countries.

Join the Pittsburgh International Women’s Strike in solidarity in Downtown Pittsburgh in front of the City County Building, beginning at 4:00 p.m. and going until 6:00 p.m.

March 8th is a day of action in the United States, organized by and for women who have been marginalized and silenced by decades of neoliberalism directed towards working women, women of color, Native women, disabled women, immigrant women, undocumented women, Muslim women, lesbian, queer, trans women and non-binary folks.

A complete overview of the national platform can be found here: https://www.womenstrikeus.org/our-platform/

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STRIKE!

Women and individuals throughout the greater Pittsburgh area will participate in direct action throughout the day by participating in the following direct actions:

- Wear red and black in solidarity
- Strike in your workplace collectively or individually
- Stop work of any kind at 3:08 p.m. if you cannot strike
- Abstain from housework and caregiving
- Rally and demonstrate with us Downtown from 4-6pm.
- Boycott misogynistic businesses by withholding your cash and assets (#grabyourwallet)
- Share your support with the hashtag #PGHM8

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Together we demand an end to gender violence, which disproportionately affects trans women, particularly trans women of color, reproductive justice for all, labor rights, full support of providing social policies and benefits, an anti-racist and anti-imperialist feminism, and environmental justice for all.

In solidarity with:

http://parodemujeres.com/
https://womenstrikeus.org/
https://www.womensmarch.com/womensday

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EVENT CO-SPONSORS INCLUDE:

- Women of Steel Local 3657
- Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania (https://www.facebook.com/plannedparenthoodpgh/)
- Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (https://www.facebook.com/wilpf/)
- Western PA Fund for Choice (https://www.facebook.com/wpafundforchoice/)
- GLCC (https://www.facebook.com/glccpgh/)
- Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America (https://www.facebook.com/pghDSA/)
- Socialist Alternative Pittsburgh (https://www.facebook.com/pghsocialistalternative/)
- The Union Edge (https://www.facebook.com/TheUnionEdge/)
- Party for Socialism and Liberation (https://www.facebook.com/pghpsl/)
- Pittsburgh Raging Grannies (http://pittsburghraginggrannies.homestead.com/)
- One PA (https://www.facebook.com/onepennsylvania/)
- Green Party of Allegheny (https://www.facebook.com/AlleghenyGreens/)
- Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents (https://www.facebook.com/PghLesbian/)
- Veterans for Peace (https://www.facebook.com/PghVFP/)
- IfNotNow Pittsburgh
- Jewish Voices for Peace (https://www.facebook.com/JewishVoiceforPeacePGH/)
- Joan Shop + Studio (https://www.facebook.com/joanshopandstudio/)
- The Vandal (https://www.facebook.com/thevandalpgh/)
- Caligramme (https://www.facebook.com/calligramme.pittsburgh/)
- Wildcard (https://www.facebook.com/wildcardpgh/)

SPEAKERS AT RALLY INCLUDE:

- Alisa Grishman (Access Mob)
- Blak Rapp Madusa (1Hood)
- Alaa Mohamed (Islamic Center of Pittsburgh)
- Brenda Solkez (PSL)
- Rosemary Trump (First female VP of SEIU)
- Edith Bell (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom)
- Jessie Medvan (Veterans for Peace)
- Rachel Nunes (Women of Steel)

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FAQs

This page will continue to be updated as we plan and receive support from the amazing organizations and individuals throughout the Pittsburgh area. Questions will be answered within 24 hours and addressed in our page updates.

Q: What is the history of the International Working Women's Day (IWD)?

A: The origins are in the struggles for equal pay and decent conditions amongst women in the USA in the 19th century. On March 8, 1857, garment workers in New York City marched and picketed, demanding improved working conditions, a ten hour day, and equal rights for women. Fifty-one years later, March 8, 1908, their sisters in the needle trades in New York marched again, honoring the 1857 march, demanding the vote, and an end to sweatshops and child labor. A conference in 1910 of socialist women involved in the Second International, adopted a proposal of the German revolutionary fighter, Klara Zetkin, to establish an International Women's Day.

Q: What is the gender/race pay disparity?

A: Women, on average, earn less than men in virtually every occupation with sufficient earnings data. The income inequality gap is worsened through racial discrimination and a legacy of racial inequality. Hispanic women make 59 cents to the dollar of every white man, while Black women make 69 cents and white women make 77 cents to the dollar.

Q: How has striking been a helpful tactic?

A: The Women’s Strike is a powerful political weapon because when women and allies say “Enough! things can’t go on like this anymore!” we challenge the existing order, build community and trust, connect with women all around the world, create networks and win women’s recognition. Recently the women’s strike in Poland against the abortion ban, marches in Latin America against male violence, massive women’s demonstration of the last November in Italy, protests and the women’s strike in defense of reproductive rights in South Korea and Ireland all point toward mobilizations combined struggles against male violence with opposition to the casualization of labor and wage inequality, while also opposing homophobia, transphobia and xenophobic immigration policies. These combined tactics push for a new international feminist movement.

Q: Have issues of accessibility been addressed for this event?

A: Organizers are currently working with Access Mob to ensure accessibility and location of ADA compliant bathrooms in the area. We are addressing participants needs as they are communicated as well.

Q: I've got three children and am the primary caregiver during the day - how would I simply abstain/withhold care from my children?

A: The inclusion of care-giving in the platform is meant to recognize housework and parenting as work. If it's possible, women can ask a male family member or partner to take over that work for the day. Abstaining can also be interpreted, rather than literal. This can be a time to look at how labor is divided in your household and if it plays with traditional gender role notions or not.

If abstaining is not possible, there are other ways to participate in the event that do not involve stopping this type of labor. You can participate symbolically -- wearing red/black -- or attend the rally at 4pm with your children. We will have a children's meet-up at Fourth and Grant and strongly encourage families to attend the march. There is also a family-friendly sign-making/noisemaker party at Repair the World at 5pm on March 7th, the afternoon before our event.

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We welcome input from organizations, groups and non-profits all throughout the Pittsburgh area.

Please feel free to reach out to our email and phone number to offer support or ask questions: pgh.iws@gmail.com, and (412) 436-9160.