Women occupy downtown Rio and honor Marielle in an 8M act

Women from trade union centrals, movements and civil society organizations held a demonstration this Wednesday (8) in downtown Rio de Janeiro for International Women’s Day. The act, called 8M, in reference to the historic date, raised different guidelines related to women’s rights, such as the end of feminicide, employment and income equality, legalization of abortion, free schools and day care centers and policies to combat hunger. The gathering took place in front of the Candelária church at the end of the afternoon, from where they all marched to Cinelândia. One of the highlights on the posters and protest cries were the tributes to Councilor Marielle Franco. On the next 14th, it will be five years since she and her driver Anderson Gomes were murdered. The women recalled the councilwoman’s work in defense of feminist, anti-racist agendas and the rights of LGBTQIA+ groups. In addition to demanding a solution to the crime, they highlighted the importance of celebrating Marielle’s memory, which became an inspiration for women to occupy more spaces of power. “We no longer talk about March 8th without talking about March 14th. My last encounter with Marielle Franco was on the 8th of March, in the streets, back in 2018. And then came that tragic news of her death, of the political assassination. We have already learned that everyone needs to work together so that women participate in politics with quality. This is also honoring Marielle’s legacy”, said councilwoman Thais Ferreira (Psol). Women march on International Women’s Day – 8M, for rights and against violence and feminicide, in the center of the city. Photo: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil – Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil As an expression of a historic struggle, the act brought together women of different ages. Civil servant Maria Teresa Silveira, 72 years old, has been participating in March 8 for decades. And the concern is as much to guarantee the maintenance of the conquered rights as to fight for the next generations to have an even more egalitarian society. “The women who work in the favelas, in the unions, in the universities have been fighting for us to achieve better things in life. Our children are there, without school, without classes, without teachers, without lunch, because the previous government took everything from us. We need to invest in education and keep fighting”. Cristiane Malungo, a 50-year-old educator, celebrated the diversity of the demonstration and highlighted the need to continue on the streets to encourage more women to participate in feminist collectives. “Being here again, on the streets, with such diverse women, black, white, working class, unions and universities. It means that we never stopped. We have always been resistance. And the public act means that our agendas and claims can also take to the streets and the ears of so many women. Some who are passing by on the bus here, who suffer these pains, but who perhaps still don’t have the dimension of what the feminist struggle is”.

Agência Brasil