Quote:In just one week, South Korea’s 4B Movement has gained traction online across the U.S. as a successful response to widespread institutionalized misogyny, offering a modern look at the historically controversial “sex strike” tactic. The 4B Movement goes a step further: rather than just withholding sex, women are opting out of marrying, dating, and having kids with men altogether. Its effectiveness can in part be measured by South Korea’s sharp decline in birth rates, a fear that incels like Musk have been outspoken about, citing low birth rates as a “bigger risk to civilization than global warming.”

Quote:Women in other parts of the world have shown similar methods of creative resistance that have resulted in wins for gender justice. The Women’s Strike in Iceland in 1975 saw 90% of women across the country refuse to work, cook, and look after children for a day in a historic act that helped pave the way for the world’s first democratically-elected female president and some of the strongest women’s rights globally. The movement was an effort to bring attention to the undervalued but essential contributions women make to a country’s social and economic success—and it paid off.

Quote:Still, the creative strategies that resulted in big wins for the pro-choice movement, along with more recent methods employed by activists following the overturn of Roe v Wade in 2022, can offer a roadmap towards gaining those freedoms back. Activists have facilitated travel for women seeking abortions to states where it is legal; created social media campaigns like “Shout Your Abortion” to create safe spaces for discussions about reproductive health; supported grass roots organizations and mutual aid groups that assist people seeking abortions; and formed human chains to clear paths to abortion clinic entrances. And while historic successes in the pro-choice movement are now at risk, the progress that’s come from organized movements historically is a reminder of the power of collective action.

Nitasha Kaul Attacks on women, attacks on the environment, attacks on minorities—none of that happens only within the borders of a nation. It’s global. The more that we pay attention to these dynamics and make the effort to understand them beyond any one country, the more we can strategically think about how to counter this moment.

Wawa Gatheru, Founder of Black Girl Environmentalist We’re really going to have to mobilize, we’re going to have to make sure that we are protecting each other in ways that our government refuses to. We have to lean on our past histories as well as people that are best suited to guide us in the right direction.