Sisters are doing it for themselves

I joined the Feminist Freedom Rally, organised by the coordinating group of Feminist Dialogues and FEMNET, with the support of the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya.

The women had brought a huge loudspeaker and DJ with them so, in between rousing speeches, we could all sing and dance along to classics like ‘Sisters are doing it for themselves’ and ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T’ by Aretha Franklin.

Everything makes a statement. Women from all over the world are wearing a black T-shirt bearing the slogan: This is what a feminist looks like

There’s also a mask with a huge lipsticked kiss and the slogan: Your mouth fundamental against fundamentalisms

It was the opportunity for any and all women to come up to the microphone and say what they want. In whichever language they choose, it’s always the same:

Pakistani women claim their rights!,

Les droits pour les femmes arabes! palestiniennes! iraquiennes!

No hay otro mundo posible sin los derechos de las mujeres!

In other words: An alternative world is not possible without rights for women.