Beyond The March: Activating Year-Round
This year’s Women’s March brought folks together from all around the world. From Las Vegas to Washington, D.C., women and allies showed up to let the world know that we’re ready to make our voices heard.
But the march is only the beginning.
With Title X funding under siege and the newly created Conscience and Religious Freedom Division within the Department of Health and Human Services poised to deny people the care they need, it’s important to remain politically engaged all year-round. Need ideas for getting activated? Here are a few we have in mind:
1. Learn about the movement.
Marches are a great way to increase visibility, but make sure that you’re equipped with credible information. We have lots of resources to help you understand exactly why access to birth control is important for everyone.
2. Learn about national and local issues.
Does your state have policies to increase access to contraception? What federal grants for teen pregnancy prevention are going on in your state? Where does Title X family planning funding go, and how many unintended pregnancies has it prevented? Learn about hot-button issues that impact the country and your state, so you know exactly how to fight.
3. Register to vote.
Each state has its own voter registration processes, but you can start the journey at Vote.gov. If you’re already registered, you’ll want to stay on top of the upcoming primary elections happening in your own backyard.
4. Call your elected officials.
If you live in one of the 50 states, you have two senators and one Representative that all serve in congress. You’ll want to give them a call and tell them to support continued funding for the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) and an appropriations bill that fully funds the Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Program and the Title X Family Planning Program. To reach your elected officials, call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they’ll connect you. For more on how easy it is to call your members of Congress, check out this guide.
5. Get social.
Organizing an event can be a great way to get people in your life engaged in a cause you care about. Consider a postcard party, where your friends come over to learn about an issue and take action on the spot. Write to your Representatives in Congress and the Senate to let them know where you stand. Pro tip: Your postcard doesn’t have to be a complaint or request; saying thanks can be a powerful way to reinforce positions your representatives take!
You can also activate your social accounts! Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are powerful tools for getting your voice heard. Here's how to get started:
- Follow us to stay current on weekly ways to activate.
- Check out our weekly #TakeActionTuesday call-to-actions, which are super easy to share.
- Share this petition, which encourages un-biased health care for all!
No matter what you decide to do, know that helping more people gain access to the birth control method of their choice benefits everyone. If you’re looking for more ways to get active, visit the Power to Decide Activation Portal.
