The women’s strike scheduled for March 8 has caused more than a dozen school closings.
“A Day Without A Woman,” which falls on International Women’s Day, calls on women to stop working, shopping (except at minority-owned businesses) and wear red.
To honor the protest, public schools in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Alexandria, Virginia will close this Wednesday after hundreds of teachers requested the day off to participate in the strike, according to Buzzfeed News. But it doesn’t stop there. A few businesses have also announced that they will be closed for the day as well.
In a statement, a Chapel Hill, North Carolina school shared their reasoning for closing due to the fact that the school “values and supports its female employees.” Reports state that roughly 12,300 students will stay home that and the day will be an optional teacher workday.
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“The decision to close schools is not a political statement. It is entirely about the safety of students and the district’s inability to operate with a high number of staff absences,” the statement read.
Reports show that in Northern Virginia, more than 300 staff members have asked for the day off, prompting district officials to cancel classes.
Glamour reported that the organizers are calling on men to wear red in solidarity and use the day as one of reflection and advocacy. They also encourage men to discuss the pay gap amongst other staffers and employers.
To learn more about how you can get involved with the protest, visit here.