Global Feminist Strike
Global Feminist Strike 08.03.2020
Anna Karamanou
former MEP
PhD Political Science, NKUA
Amidst the migration crisis and fears of a COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s global feminist strike on March 8th for women’s rights worldwide takes place. A shared demand is to effectively address the pressing issues impacting the global community: the widening gap between the rich and the poor, violations of fundamental freedoms and universal human rights, ineffective policies for protecting the planet and biodiversity, gender inequality, and violence against women.
The Declaration and Platform for Action of the 4th World Conference on Women’s Rights, held in Beijing in 1995, which were ratified by 189 governments, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. It is the most inspiring framework for action across 12 critical areas: poverty, education and vocational training, health, violence, armed conflict, economy, power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media, environment, and child— girl.
However, 25 years later, no country in the world has achieved gender equality. The World Economic Forum (WEF) predicts that, at the current pace, we will have to wait another 100 years! In the global gender equality ranking (2020 Report), among 153 countries, Greece is ranked 84th, behind Albania (20th), Bulgaria (49th), and North Macedonia (70th). Among neighboring countries, only Turkey ranks worse than us (130th), followed by Islamic countries. Women globally perform 66% of the work, produce 50% of the food, yet earn only 10% of the global income and own 1-2% of the wealth (UN data).
Top social and religious institutions still refuse to recognize the equal value and dignity of women, in stark contrast to the values of political liberalism and democracy. Hostility towards equality fuels the ever-increasing violence against women. Of course, many men condemn extreme forms of violence (such as genital mutilation, sexual violence, murders, “honor” crimes, etc.). However, they avoid focusing on the root causes and structures that trigger such violence. The primary cause is, obviously, patriarchy and the structures of male domination. Gender inequality in the distribution of power in male-dominated societies is deliberate and systemic. It is a system of control and exploitation. In our time, it constitutes an open war against women! The goal: To keep women in the role that has historically been imposed upon them, so as not to endanger the archetypal hegemonic masculinity and its divinely sanctioned supremacy.
The statistics regarding the war against women are deeply revealing. The United Nations refers to it as a global scourge, certifying that every day, 137 women are murdered within their family or social circle. This is femicide, akin to “genocide,” meaning the intentional killing of women. According to the Greek Feminist Network for International Women’s Day (8th March), these figures represent only a small part of the reality, as globally, 8 out of 10 victims of homicide are women. Among victims of human trafficking, 71% are female, with migrant and refugee women being the most tragic victims. And another terrifying statistic: 50 women are killed every week within the European Union by a partner or former partner. It is truly frightening, considering that we have been working on this issue for many years. But the reality remains the same, “The numbers continue to rise,” says Helena Dalli, the first Commissioner for Equality of the EU.
The movement MeToo, against the sexual abuse of women, has given a voice to many women, contributed to the liberation of speech, and increased the recorded incidents of sexual harassment and violence. However, studies show that only 10% of incidents are reported. They are afraid… In our country, after the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, we have a remarkable institutional framework for combating violence. However, as we know, laws are easily passed, but hard to implement. Just recall the 40 women murdered in the last two years.
It is clear that patriarchy seeks to control our bodies and minds through fear and violence. They want to load us with guilt over the demographic issue and unborn children! To stop questioning the established patriarchal order. Far-right parties excel in this. Let us remember Golden Dawn and the model of the harsh, violent, macho man they promoted. In Spain, the far-right VOX party claims that violence against women does not exist; it is a political invention!
In the Athos Peninsula, part of Greek territory, women’s access is legally prohibited under penalty of imprisonment. There, only men have rights and access to cultural and natural heritage. Will this legislation also apply to the elected first female President of the Hellenic Republic? In the end, what is the meaning of this anachronism? What does it symbolize? The inferiority of femininity? How far can the modernization of our country go when outdated institutions and symbols of patriarchal, Balkan culture continue to endure?
The historian Yuval Noah Harari, in his book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, speaks about the fear of men. He uses the 2015 movie Ex Machina as an example, in which an artificial intelligence specialist falls in love with a female robot, who subsequently manipulates him. In reality, Harari argues, this is not a film about the fear of humans facing intelligent robots, but rather about the fear of men facing intelligent women, and specifically the fear that female liberation could lead to female dominance.
Certainly, for Greece, we need a new beginning! Since, as a country, we did not participate in the Renaissance and the European Enlightenment, let’s start with a new Enlightenment that will, this time, include women. To bring forth an alternative model of political power, with gender equality, justice, and meritocracy everywhere. In light of the 200th anniversary of the 1821 revolution, the country needs a reboot! We need to see how, in the age of algorithms and artificial intelligence, we will address the challenges of technology and science and how we will finally close the gender data gap in all areas of economic, social, and political life. This is the meaning of March 8th, 2020!