The organizers, most of them belonging to women's and human rights organizations, described the march as "not a strategy to fight, but a union of women and men to demand respect for the individual liberties of women. A document issued by the organizers states: "we will march to demand an end to all forms of violence against women , the figure of femicide as aggravation incorporated into the penal code , budget for the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and the processing and approval of the law for voluntary interruption of pregnancy.
The main theme for the protest were sexual stereotypes. The march began with an exposition of photographs from the previous rally. There were also workshops and debate spaces regarding intimate and social respect, non-sexist education and media violence , while several music bands performed on stage. We need to raise awareness and create spaces for reflection and debate so we can take our slogans to our daily lives.
We need society to stop justifying, tolerating or minimizing sexual abuses, and to stop victim-blaming. It began with an open space for sharing experiences of abuse, most of which had happened to the speakers during childhood or as teenagers, and kept silenced during years. I only was able to do it after I joined this movement and found other people went through similar situations" explained Deborah, one of the organizers. A few weeks ago our President Cristina was discredited for wearing leggings , a clear example of what we see in a daily basis in different spheres.
It's ridiculous and a typical patriarchal behavior. La Marcha de las Putas is about getting actively involved in building a new reality, in which respect, recognition and effective equality between men and women prevail. It included activities related to the importance of detection and prevention of child molestation, legal processes, and healing. The protest advocated for better laws, and for the effective application of the existing laws. The day was closed with speeches from the organizations, and artistic activities for the participants.
Around people gathered, marching in daily outfits. Only a 23 years old student participated in underwear. We want people to dress normally, as they like to wear. Despite the name, the SlutWalk brought together women, men and families, sometimes including babies. Participants chanted slogans against sexual abuse. Participants advocated for the improvement in hospitals and police stations for women victims of sexual abuse, access to abortion with no paperwork when pregnancy is the result of rape, and the effective implementation of the Lei Maria da Penha , in cases of battered women.
