Argentine feminists demonstrate the power of mobilisation. Their quest for a better world has only just begun with the legalisation of abortion.
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| [Green Wave Movement] |
Wars, pandemics, wildfires, droughts, floods, heat waves, cold waves, earthquakes, tsunamis, terrorist strikes, and horror are all possibilities. The world is no longer only dreary, but rather hopeless. When there is nothing you can do about it.
What does this have to do with the Argentine Green Wave (" la ola verde "), a Latin American women's movement that advocates for abortion rights, among other things? Feminism is not a panacea for all ills. However, he is an example of organisation and resistance, as well as the faith that social and political engagement is never in vain. Their catchphrase, "The struggle is worth it!" may be applied to a variety of countries and circumstances.
The " Ni Una Menos " movement is often regarded as the hub of Latin American feminism. Women artists, journalists, and scientists spoke up to gender-based violence against women in 2015. Their advocacy sparked a slew of protests. Two years later, the hashtag #MeToo was born. The Green Wave campaign culminated in the collective demand for the right to legal, safe, and free abortion in 2018.
The green wave and the abortion debate in Argentina erupted into a tsunami in 2018, with the green headscarf serving as a symbol of autonomy, sexual and reproductive rights, and the alliance of women and sexual diversity. The green headscarf is more than just a symbol of identity, struggle, and togetherness. It is a flag and a symbol of Latin American feminisms' plurinational notion in the face of territorial fragmentation.
The green cloth was born in Argentina, heir to the dedication of Plaza de Mayo's mothers and grandmothers. They have been protesting there every week since 1977, with a silent march, demanding an explanation for the brutal disappearance of their sons, daughters, and grandkids by the then-military administration. To shield themselves from the regime's persecution, everyone donned a white headscarf.
At a women's gathering in the city of Rosario in 2003, the campaign for legal, safe, and free abortion picked the colour green as a symbol of hope, giving itself an unmistakable emblem. The distinction between a legal abortion and an illegal abortion that must be performed secretly is one of life and death. It's the difference between having a full life and dying as a result of sex or being forced to have sex. This distinction between pleasure and misery, between confinement and freedom, is exquisite.
However, it is not the only one. The Green Wave's approach to politics is the most notable distinction. It is not only about obtaining justice, imposing an agenda, or obtaining a verdict or a law. It's a method of fighting for political rights in the hopes of making the world a more living place. Beyond voting, the feminist fight urges active civic involvement. Through active feminism, democracy becomes more perfect. In a society that begs for discouragement, authoritarianism, and repression, modes of participation, social consensus building, and legislative conflicts provide a light of hope.
Ayelén Mazzina is the San Luis Province's Secretary of State for Women, Diversity, and Equality. She is just 31 years old, openly homosexual, and has her sides shaved. In formal cabinet sessions, she still appears "out of place." "We must manage to democratise and humanise politics when we sit in areas where crucial choices are made," she insists.
Women's engagement can serve as a social brake on different types of authoritarianism and social violence. Gender justice indicates "Yes, get engaged," as opposed to "No, don't get involved," which was the slogan of the Argentine military dictatorship, which forced civilians to remain out of many things for fear of torture and disappearance.
When neighbours rescue a young girl who is being raped in a car; when a teacher phones home because a girl shows up at school obviously bruised; when a stranger assists a teenage girl who is being abused on the train; when a mother takes home a young girl who has fallen unwell from drinking in a bar.
The feminist agenda is not a secondary issue in a world with more severe concerns that were just the stuff of TV programmes three years ago. It is not trivial in the context of wars, pandemics, and natural calamities. It is not something that can be put off or pushed down the priority list. Global issues need the participation of strong, self-assured women.
We can no longer go back in time. We have already witnessed moves backwards since the start of the pandemic. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Latin America has lagged behind in integrating women into the labour force by 10 years. That's absolutely not acceptable. But there's more to it.
It is a matter of political prudence and overall plans. Not just for gender equality, but also as a driving force in other fields. Let us return to the green wave. The movement isn't simply about legalising abortion. The goal is to protect the green — the world that surrounds us.
In Argentina, the green papers say, "Sex education to decide." Contraception is used to prevent abortions. Abortion should be legalised in order to avoid death." Scarves are now seen as a piece of apparel that promotes active peace. Their colour isn't white, it's not neutral, it's not capitulating - it's active. Not dying means fighting for a world filled with the green of hope. It's worth it to have a battling spirit.