International Women’s Day (IWD) has its roots in the early 1900s when women, tired of oppression, began to organize for change. In 1908, 15,000 women marched in New York City, advocating for better wages, shorter work hours, and voting rights. They sought to have their voices recognized and to receive the respect and acknowledgment they deserved for their contributions. This struggle continues today.
As our society has evolved, the conversation has expanded to include body autonomy and reproductive rights. The focus has shifted from merely having rights to ensuring that these rights are equally accessible to all genders. Terms like feminism, gender parity, and gender equality are now common in discussions aimed at dismantling sexism and misogyny. However, even among well-meaning circles of self-identified liberal women, there remains a significant gap in addressing the needs of all gender identities.
Gender parity is often discussed as a measurable ratio between men and women across various indicators, such as income and workforce participation. However, true equality is not just about numbers; it also involves perceptions and treatment of individuals based on their gender. Unfortunately, many discussions around gender equality still operate under a binary understanding of gender, often overlooking the complexities of transgender and nonbinary identities.
The inclusion of transgender and nonbinary people in International Women’s Day is essential for a more powerful and effective challenge against patriarchal systems. Trans women are women and should always be included in any discourse surrounding women’s rights without needing validation or justification. The harmful views held by some trans-exclusionary radical feminists (TERFs) who deny the validity of transgender women only serve to undermine the broader feminist movement.
Trans men are men, and their experiences and perspectives also matter in discussions about IWD. Many transgender men face challenges similar to those of cisgender women, including discrimination and exclusion based on their past experiences. Their fight for rights does not diminish the struggle for women; rather, it enhances it, as many have lived as women and understand the injustices that come with that identity.
Moreover, many transgender men and nonbinary individuals have reproductive health needs that deserve attention. They may require access to health care, including birth control, and some can conceive and give birth. Recognizing their rights as part of the broader conversation about reproductive rights is crucial, as these rights are not solely women’s rights but encompass all individuals with uteruses.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #ChoosetoChallenge. I urge everyone to embrace not only equality but also equity and inclusivity. How can we claim to empower women if we exclude transgender women and girls? If women have autonomy over their bodies, why are we not fighting harder against the policing of transgender identities? The violence against and murders of transgender women, particularly Black transgender women, deserve our attention and activism.
Gender equality must extend beyond the binary framework to ensure that all genders can thrive. Including transgender and nonbinary individuals in International Women’s Day does not detract from womanhood; it strengthens the fight against sexism and patriarchy.
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