The Million Woman's March is the Voice of God Advocating Equality in our Times

At a social event in our Park where I live in Florida, an elderly man approached me and inquired why I thought the million Woman March was necessary. My response was that women are making their voices heard on women's equality, family planning and health issues, Although I know there are a number of related issues that are aligned to peace and justice in our country and world, President Trump's  executive orders are a major step backwards for women's rights in our country and world. 

Left to right: Pat MacMillian and Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP at Woman's March in Sarasota, Fl.

According to a Washington Post editorial, "Now Trump's executive order takes a giant leap beyond previous GOP incarnations. It is not just family-planning funds that are at risk, but all global health assistance, including funds to combat tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS... Marie Stopes International estimates that the loss of the  U.S.AID-funded services over the next four years will result in 6.5 million unintended pregnancies, 2.2 million abortions- many unsafe- and 21,700 maternal deaths. 

In spite of laws that mandate equal pay for equal work, last year a congressional report summarized a major disparity in wages earned by women. Women workers receive 75 cents for every dollar earned by a man. African-American women earn only 60 cents for every dollar a white man earns, and Latina American women earn even less, 55 cents. A woman with a Bachelor's degree earns $5000 less per year than a man with the same degree. 

In Florida, the Joint economic Committee Democratic Staff of the U.S. Senate in 2016 reported this wage gap continues for women in retirement. The median income for women 65 and older is 44 percent less than a man in same age category.

All of us, women and men need to challenge inequities. The Million Woman March in Washington DC and the millions around the world who marched are making their voices heard that women's rights are human rights and that we will not tolerate injustice and inequality by any institution, government or religion in the 21st century.

The international Roman Catholic Women Priests promotes full equality of women in the church. 

The million Woman's March and all efforts to promote gender justice everywhere is the voice of God advocating equality in our times.

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
sofiabmm@aol.com

http://religionnews.com/2017/02/03/trump-border-wall-challenges-americas-moral-values-catholic-theologian/