The feminist strike must not take the path of division

Martine Brunschwig Graf, former president of the Federal Commission against Racism and a former Liberal Party national councilor, argues in an opinion piece that the feminist strike must not succumb to division. She invokes the words of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: "Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will encourage others to join you." Graf sees this as a guiding principle for the struggle for equality and against discrimination.

Graf highlights Ginsburg's legal strategy as an example. As a lawyer, Ginsburg skillfully defended men who were victims of sexism. Her aim was to demonstrate to the Supreme Court that discriminatory laws harmed everyone, thereby building broader support for legal change. This approach, Graf suggests, is key to effective activism.

The author references the 2019 national strike, which, despite some political division over the use of the word "strike," mobilized over half a million people according to official estimates. Beyond those who participated directly, many others shared the values and principles associated with the movement. These principles include the fight for equal pay, the struggle against domestic violence, and the eradication of harassment, particularly against women.

Graf's piece, published in Le Temps, is presented as a chronicle reflecting the author's viewpoint, not necessarily the newspaper's official position. The publication emphasizes transparency, noting that its opinion and tribune sections feature contributions from both internal staff and external personalities, representing diverse perspectives.

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Fight for the things you care about, but do it in a way that will encourage others to join you.