A movement that began almost a year ago continues today across the globe. Women from all walks of life braved January weather in Sudbury to take part in the local edition of Women’s March. Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath and Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas were among the many women who were marching in solidarity for women who have been systemically repressed and silenced throughout the centuries.
“This march is to put it out there that we still have ways to go before women reach equality when men and women are treated equally,” Gélinas said. "But I think the society has come to grips with the fact that we have to do better."
“I am proud to be here and I think it’s important to stand with women of Sudbury and their supporters and raise awareness and our voices to some of the issues that women face today, whether it's elected folks who don’t respect women or whether it’s the fact that women have to still struggle in 2018 to take their equal place in society,” Horwath said.
The Women's March Sudbury started from the parking lot across from Bell Park to the Bridge of Nations and back again. Although the march was organized for women, it was not exclusive to women. Men and young children stood tall beside their daughters, sisters and wives, carrying banners and chanting slogans in support of equality and equity.
“If there are people who will only be listening to men, then I want to be one of the men standing beside women and saying it is time for a change,” Sudbury NDP candidate Jamie West said.
“I am here marching for my daughter and my fiancé," Max Lafontaine said. "For anyone who continues to suppress women I just want to say watch out, Times up.”
Women in at least 250 cities across the globe, including U.S. and Canada, are expected to march today. The rallies also come at a monumental time when movements like the #MeToo and #TimesUp have propelled many women to take up activism against sexual harassment and abuse.
“I want my granddaughters to learn about women’s struggles through studying history not living those experiences themselves,” said Linda Ambrose, Women Studies professor at Laurentian University.
