Respect, Dignity, Empathy, Equality, and Justice are five of the guiding principles of International Women’s Day.
Today is a time to celebrate the achievements of women, recognise the challenges they face, and reaffirm our commitment to a world built on these important principles. They are the foundation of a fair society, one where every individual (regardless of gender) is valued and treated with compassion.
But today, we urge you to extend these principles beyond human society. As we stand up for women’s rights, let’s also stand up for the rights of other sentient beings who suffer from oppression and exploitation. Among them are the millions of female animals, mothers and daughters, who endure unimaginable suffering in industries that exploit their reproductive systems.
In the dairy industry, female cows are repeatedly impregnated, only to have their newborn calves taken away from them, time and time again. This distressing cycle of forced pregnancy and separation is inflicted upon them simply to produce milk for human consumption. Imagine the grief of a mother losing her child, not just once, but continuously throughout her life until she is considered ‘spent’ and will be sent to the slaughterhouse to be killed. The anguish they experience is undeniable.
The fight against exploitation and injustice should not be limited by species. We have the power to make a difference by questioning traditions that cause harm and choosing kindness instead.
We invite you to take action today in the following ways:
Along with our action today, we are also launching our new campaign, Udderly Kind which we will be telling you all about in the coming weeks. As we celebrate and uplift women, let’s also extend our compassion to other beings who suffer under systems of oppression.
Together, we can create a world rooted in kindness and fairness for every being.
As always,
for the animals!