Dozens of people attended CARE International's March4Women on the 3rd of March. While a handful of men and boys were praised for attending, Glen Tarman, head of global advocacy for CARE International, pointed out there were still "too few"
By Eelinn Vanquaethem
The reason for Mr Tarman's disappointment resonates with what Annie Lennox, the Scottish singer and activist, highlighted in her speech on the day - global feminism. The term primarily concerns itself with the forward movement of women's right on a global scale, but Lennox strongly believes it is a term that everyone can stand by.
The idea that "everyone" should back up feminism was understood not only by the women attending but also by the men.
"I think gender equality isn't just an issue that women find really important," Usaama Kaweese, a man who attended March4Women says. "If men don't get on board and emphasise the importance of it then it won't be achieved."
This is partly because male attitudes are part of the problem, according to Mr Tarman. This in combination with men usually having more powerful positions globally and a resistance to change can make it difficult to make gender equality happen.
Mr Tarman therefore encourages people to ask themselves if they just "want to be a bystander to injustice" or if they "want to be a part of the solution".
Even if you didn't have time on the 3rd of March to attend the event, "gender justice and feminism isn't issue that you can't join because it's in all parts of life," Mr Tarman says.
"Whether you are into video games, sports, literature, or whatever it is that rocks your world, it will likely be better if you take up the feminist cause within it," he adds.
Despite Mr Tarman's scepticism he does look around and sees "people who are part of the change, and step forward to be active and be a feminist".
Film composer David Arnold offered a special "thank you" to all men who attended the event before introducing the classical women's rights anthem You Don't Own Me in aid of CARE International.
The criticism towards men who aren't standing up for gender equal rights isn't to annoy them, but rather to encourage them to join. When they do get involved, they can expect to be fully welcomed by the movement.
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