Women in Mexico Show the World What “A Day Without Women” is Really Like
Ever wonder what a day without women would look like? Well on March 9, those in Mexico got to experience that.
The day before, on March 8, thousands of women in Mexico had taken to the streets to not only mark International Women’s Day, but to also protest violence against Mexican women and girls. According to Mexico’s secretary general of National Public Security, 2,833 women were killed in the period from January to September 2019. Violent crimes against women continue to rise, and even though women are trying to speak out about this, no one seems to be listening. So what if women took that cue to leave, and leave for good?
When plans were being made for International Women’s Day, a group of women from Veracruz called “Witches of the Sea” proposed also having a weekday strike, so the impact of them being gone could really be felt. A day without women in Mexico meant they wouldn’t go to school, or work, or buy anything at their supermarkets or local vendors. They wouldn’t post on social media, use public transport, go to social gatherings, or see relatives.
And on March 9, the impact was noticeable. News rooms and government offices were empty. Schools were left bare. Streets were pretty deserted. More than a third of the city’s banks were closed, as were many subway ticket booths. Studies from Mexico’s various financial institutions estimate there will be a significant loss and the effects from that day will be felt over the long term. And I think I can speak for many women out there when I say: What else were you expecting?? Of course women are this important that they can disrupt the economy.
Without women, the world struggles to carry on. The women in Mexico sent a very clear message that day to not only Mexican men, but people around the world: if you won’t listen to us or protect us, we will bring everything else down with us.
cover image via PeriodicoContancto