By Malaika Kusumi
March 8th witnessed a global surge of activism as women and allies took to the streets for International Women's Day (IWD). From New York to Nairobi, Frankfurt to Buenos Aires, millions rallied for gender equality, reproductive rights, and justice. Each march carried its own unique energy, reflecting local struggles and victories. In Mexico City, protestors demanded an end to femicide; in Spain, women filled the streets to defend workplace rights; and in war-torn Ukraine, demonstrators called attention to the plight of women suffering in conflict zones.
Yet, across all these locations, a shared message resonated—women's rights are human rights, and the fight is far from over.
Against this backdrop, Democrats Abroad's Global Women's Caucus (GWC) hosted a powerful IWD rally, bringing together activists, policymakers, and global citizens committed to advancing gender equity. Ann Hesse, Chair of the GWC, sat down with me for an in-depth discussion about the event and the broader significance of IWD activism.
Interview with Ann Hesse, Chair of the Democrats Abroad Global Women's Caucus
MK: Some argue that International Women's Day has become too commercialized, with corporations using it for marketing rather than real change. In your opinion, were traces of this found in the rally this year? How or how not?
Hesse: In our case, we were clearly going for Democrats Abroad branding, which makes sense for an advocacy-focused event. Commercialization is part of every holiday, but what worries me more than corporations using IWD for marketing is the general shocking rollback on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). When our government is literally erasing the word 'woman' from official documents, corporations trying to profit off IWD feels like the least of our problems. Our event stayed focused on activism and engagement—we had no corporate sponsors, and the fact that our speakers and attendees stayed engaged throughout such a long, intensive program shows that the content resonated. It wasn't about selling a message—it was about equipping people to take action.
MK: In your opinion, what is the biggest value of rallies like this for advancing women's rights and social change?
Hesse: The biggest value of this kind of event is the sense of empowerment and connection it creates in the face of all that shock and awe our members have been bombarded with. Every action the GWC takes is anchored on our three pillars of engagement: Education, Community-Building, and Activism.
We worked hard to include all three throughout the day. It's not just about hearing inspiring talks—it's about giving people tools to make a difference. Sessions like "How to Call Your Representatives," "Become a Mini-Influencer," and "Help Save Democracy" gave attendees concrete steps to take action. The steady participation and positive feedback we received show that people want more than motivation—they want strategies, and we delivered that.
MK: Do you think this rally will lead to any tangible changes or actions? If so, in what ways?
Hesse: Yes, we're already seeing signs of momentum. Every single guest speaker expressed interest in participating in future events, which is a strong indicator that we're on the right track. The practical focus on activism, like calling representatives and learning about concrete resistance tools, means that attendees left with real skills, not just inspiration.
DA leaders and members alike have already shown interest in future roundtable discussions, online actions, and on-the-ground organizing, which proves that the event energized people to keep going.
MK: Feminism is often criticized for being too focused on middle-class, Western perspectives. Do you think today's rallies or the rally that you participated in successfully addressed the struggles of marginalized women, such as women of color, refugees, or those in war zones? If so, how? If not, what can be done to rectify this situation?
Hesse: We made a real effort to include diverse voices and perspectives, and I think that showed in the program. We reached out to every caucus chair and regional vice chair for content. A great example was the session 'A Torch Passed: Hazel Falke-Obey's Legacy and the Fight for Global Justice,' hosted by our Kenya team, which focused on the legacy of a Black woman activist. We also covered how authoritarianism, war, and economic instability disproportionately affect marginalized women. That said, there's always room to grow. I'd like to see even more representation from all our diverse communities across DA.
MK: Many governments and corporations publicly support women's rights on International Women's Day, yet systemic gender inequality persists. Do you think these statements and initiatives are genuine or just symbolic gestures? Do rallies help push the needle?
Hesse: This year's GWC IWD event was different from others we've had in the past, where we focused more narrowly on women's rights. This time, the focus was right there in the title—'Rising Up for Justice and Democracy.'
We've moved beyond government or corporate support for gender equality. Our entire democracy is under attack! That's why we included events that weren't exclusively "women-focused." Our 16-hour marathon Zoom webinar included over 20 events spanning three categories: Women's Issues and Feminism, Activism and Advocacy, and Policy and Political Updates. The live check-ins with members participating in rallies and marches on the ground, along with short informational videos, kept the focus on real action, not just symbolic support.
MK: What advice would you give to someone wanting to get involved in women's advocacy but unsure where to start?
Hesse: Start small but start somewhere. I'm particularly excited about the new Resistance Roundtable concept and the weekly Take Action email alerts. My own involvement in women's advocacy started at my dining room table with a small group of DA friends. Over the years, I've learned quite a lot, especially that teamwork is the key! Our event showed that people are eager to engage and that you don't have to be a political expert to make a difference. We were very satisfied with the attendance numbers, both online and at the rallies. What's so exciting about what we accomplished is that we created meaningful opportunities for every single U.S. citizen living abroad to engage—from loud, big-city marches to online "how-to" sessions that reached people in remote locations. That's the strength of our Global Women's Caucus community.
The impact of International Women's Day rallies extends far beyond a single day of demonstrations. They serve as a reminder of the power of collective action, inspire new leaders, and provide tools for real change. As Hesse and her team demonstrated, activism doesn't end when the banners are put away—it continues in the conversations, actions, and policies that follow.
Ann Hesse is the former chair of DA Stuttgart, and the Global Woman's Caucus Chair
Malaika Kusumi is a DA Frankfurt leader, and 2024 DA delegate to the DNC
Democrats Abroad loves volunteers and encourages you to get in touch if you have time to rise up and mobilize! Write [email protected]