Trump's rise revived feminism in US, elsewhere: Bhasin

Feminism in America was believed to have become "fossilised" but President Donald Trump's "political rise" has proved to be a blessing in disguise for women's movement, not just in the US but many other countries as well, noted activist Kamla Bhasin today said.

"In America, feminists were thought to have become dinosaurs, but thanks to Trump, now it has been revived, as it became evident on January 21 when countless women marched in the streets in an unprecedented display of solidarity for equality and human rights," she said.

Bhasin, who has been actively engaged with gender and developmental issues for over 35 years, was addressing a press conference at the Indian Women Press Corps here.

Thousands of protesters, in Washington, New York and other cities in the US, flooded the streets a day after Trump's inauguration as the 45th President, against what they alleged was "divisive policies" of the new administration.

Bhasin also said this year's 'One Billion Rising' campaign would be held on February 5, at the Central Park in Connaught Place, where artists, poets, musicians, and scholars will assemble and "celebrate femininity" and equal rights.

"You push us down in Bengaluru and we will go out, you push us down in Delhi and we will fight back," said Bhasin, also the South Asia Coordinator of 'One Billion Rising'.

Held annually, 'One Billion Rising (OBR)' is a voluntary campaign organised by a group of feminist leaders to put spotlight on women's rights through acts of poetry, theatre, dance, music and speeches.

Nastasia Paul-Gera, who is part of the South Asia Secretariat of the campaign, said, "This year the OBR will also see take this campaign forward to bastis and settlements in Delhi-NCR."

"Bands like 'Majma', Vidya Shah and other artists will be performing this year. Various parallel events would be held in colleges," she said.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)