The International Women’s Day is the focus of this week’s The Melissa Dalton Show, as our host speaks with Jessica Lopes from the JIF (Journée Internationale des Femmes) platform to discuss the importance of this year’s march – taking place at 3pm, Saturday – and why the fight for gender equality remains crucial.
You can listen to the insightful conversation right here:
In today’s chat, Melissa and Jessica touch upon the formation of the JIF platform and what it takes to plan a big event such as the IWD march - which is simultaneously a protest against inequality and abuse as it is a celebration of womanhood.
The conversation includes ongoing and upcoming challenges that still demand attention, such as social justice, as well as national and international solidarity.
The march takes place in Luxembourg today, departing from Place de Paris in the city centre at 3pm, going towards Place Guillaume. Jessica Lopes invites everyone to come along and let their support for women be heard, with a “fightful and cheerful” spirit.
You can find The Melissa Dalton Show every week on Today Radio and RTL Play.
Every year, Luxembourg’s International Woman’s Day march brings together around 20 organisations to stand up for women’s rights. Created in 2011 during the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, the JIF (Journée Internationale des Femmes) platform was formed to organise activities and celebrations surrounding March 8. Its goal was to highlight the political importance of the day and the achievements of feminism as a movement. The platform, which includes organisations, political parties, unions, and individual activists, combines professional expertise with passionate volunteer engagement.
Why is the march so important? Despite being a family-friendly and colourful event, it will always be, at its core, a serious protest march to defend women’s rights – something that is, unfortunately, still very necessary today. Luxembourg, like many places, still faces issues of gender inequality, as women are under-represented in politics and leadership roles, and over-represented in lower-paid sectors like cleaning services. However, the march is not solely focussed on Luxembourg: it is about standing in solidarity with women worldwide who are fighting for their rights.
