Over 400 cities across America and 160+ countries worldwide participate in a large-scale women's march, on Donald Trump's first full day as president of the United States.

The Historic Women's March of 2017: A Global Call for Human Rights

The Women's March was a monumental, worldwide series of protests that took place on January 21, 2017. This significant date, precisely one day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, was chosen deliberately to send an immediate and unequivocal message to the new administration and the global community. The impetus for this unprecedented mobilization stemmed directly from numerous public statements made by then-President-elect Trump, which were widely perceived as misogynistic, discriminatory, or otherwise deeply offensive to women and various marginalized groups. These included controversial remarks from the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape, comments on reproductive rights, and stances on immigration, all of which fueled widespread concern and galvanised a diverse coalition of activists.

Marking a pivotal moment in contemporary social activism, the Women's March collectively became the largest single-day protest in United States history, surpassing previous records for mass demonstrations. This remarkable turnout underscored a powerful public response to the political climate and a broad commitment to upholding human and civil liberties.

Core Objectives and Broad Coalition

Beyond being a reaction to specific political rhetoric, the annual Women's Marches are fundamentally dedicated to advocating for comprehensive legislation and policies aligned with human rights principles. The movement's extensive platform addresses a wide array of interconnected societal issues, aiming to foster an inclusive and equitable society. Key areas of focus include:

Organizers articulated the march's primary goal as delivering "a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office, and to the world that women's rights are human rights." This powerful slogan underscored the belief that gender equality is not a niche issue but a fundamental component of universal human dignity and justice, uniting participants under a broad banner of solidarity.

Unprecedented Scale and Global Reach

The epicenter of the protest was the Women's March on Washington, D.C., which served as the flagship event. This principal demonstration was extensively covered, including live streams across major social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, allowing millions globally to witness the event unfold in real-time and amplifying its impact. The Washington March itself drew an estimated crowd of over 470,000 participants, filling the streets of the nation's capital.

The scale of participation extended far beyond Washington, D.C., demonstrating a truly national and international movement:

Initially, at least 408 marches were planned across the U.S., with an additional 168 scheduled in 81 other countries. However, post-event reports from organizers confirmed an even more expansive reach, documenting approximately 673 marches worldwide. This astonishing global footprint included demonstrations on all seven continents, with 29 marches in Canada, 20 in Mexico, and even one remarkable protest in Antarctica, symbolizing the universal resonance of the movement's message.

Commitment to Peace and Sustained Action

A defining characteristic of the Women's March was its unwavering commitment to peaceful demonstration. Despite the immense crowds, particularly in major urban centers, the events were overwhelmingly non-violent. Notably, no arrests were reported in key cities with massive turnouts, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Seattle, where a combined total of around two million people marched. This commitment to non-violence reflected the organizers' explicit adherence to "the nonviolent ideology of the Civil Rights movement," drawing a clear historical lineage to impactful peaceful activism.

Recognizing the importance of translating protest into tangible change, the organizers of the Women's March on Washington swiftly introduced the "10 Actions for the first 100 Days" campaign. This strategic initiative was designed to sustain the momentum generated by the march, encouraging participants to engage in ongoing joint activism. The campaign provided a roadmap for civic engagement, urging individuals to take specific actions like contacting elected officials, attending town halls, registering voters, and participating in local community organizing efforts. This proactive approach aimed to ensure that the powerful message delivered on January 21, 2017, would translate into continuous advocacy and meaningful policy shifts.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Women's March

When did the Women's March take place?
The primary Women's March events occurred on January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. President.
What was the main purpose of the Women's March?
The primary purpose was to send a strong message to the new U.S. administration and the world that women's rights are human rights, advocating for policies concerning human rights, gender equality, reproductive rights, immigration reform, healthcare, racial equality, and environmental protection, among other critical issues.
How many people participated in the Women's March?
Estimates suggest between 3.2 to 5.2 million people participated across the U.S., with over seven million participating worldwide. The main march in Washington, D.C., alone drew over 470,000 attendees.
Was the Women's March a peaceful protest?
Yes, the Women's March was overwhelmingly peaceful. Organizers emphasized a non-violent ideology, and no arrests were reported in major cities with large march turnouts, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Seattle.
Did the Women's March lead to further action?
Yes, following the initial marches, organizers launched the "10 Actions for the first 100 Days" campaign, encouraging participants to engage in ongoing civic engagement and advocacy to maintain momentum and influence policy.