Unity Beyond the Ballot: Defending Women’s Rights and Building a Future Together

As the dust settles after the US election, many of us are left with complex feelings. Regardless of who you supported, there’s a shared sense of tension, a collective unease that goes beyond party lines or who won or lost. This moment reminds us to breathe, to process, and to care for our minds and nervous systems as we grapple with the results. It’s an invitation to reflect on what kind of future we’re building—for ourselves and for future generations.

This election highlighted some stark truths about where we stand in our work for gender equality. Across demographics, we saw both encouragement and challenges: a majority of white women continued to support Trump, while support among young white men, Black men, and Latino men also surged in his favour. It’s tempting to view these trends through simple divisions—men versus women, one race versus another—but that lens risks missing the bigger picture.

This election was not just about gender, but it also wasn’t not about gender. And if we truly want lasting progress, we need to embrace the complexity, making space for a vision that centers on women’s rights and autonomy while inviting men to stand alongside us as partners in change.

At Women Rising, we believe in the unshakeable power of women’s voices, and we recognise that defending women’s autonomy is foundational to any form of equality. At the heart of our work is a commitment to women’s rights—especially the rights of women of colour, who carry the dual weight of gender and racial inequities.

We cannot talk about equality without addressing these critical issues, nor can we build a future if women’s rights, choices, and autonomy are compromised. As we move forward, protecting women’s ability to make decisions over their own lives and bodies must remain central to our progress.

Yet, as we continue this work, it’s clear that we cannot do it alone. This election highlighted that many men—particularly young men from diverse backgrounds—are feeling left out and isolated, drawn to narratives that echo frustration and even resentment. Research shows that a significant percentage of young men feel disconnected, pressured by traditional masculine standards to hide their vulnerabilities.

If we are to build a truly inclusive future, we need to create a culture that not only empowers women but also understands and supports men, encouraging them to shed limiting narratives and embrace shared responsibility in gender equity.

This is not about diluting our message; it’s about strengthening it. Women’s progress has never come at the expense of men, and our Women Rising movement is about lifting everyone. When women rise, the whole of society rises. Economic research has long proven that when women fully participate in the workforce, communities, and leadership, the economy grows and everyone benefits. By bringing men into the conversation, we’re not losing ground; we’re building a foundation that holds everyone.

The ripple effect of these election results extends far beyond America’s borders. As an Australian, I know well how U.S. elections influence global attitudes toward gender, equity, and leadership. In a world as connected as ours, these shifts don’t stay confined within one country—they reach us all, shaping policies and perspectives worldwide.

This is why defending women’s rights and gender equity is not just an American issue but a global one. In Australia and beyond, women’s rights, leadership, and autonomy must remain non-negotiable. And we must keep fighting this fight until we truly experience women’s rights as human rights as Hillary Clinton so famously said, everywhere in the world.

This is a call for unity, empathy, and resilience in the face of division. Women have fought hard to advance our rights, and we know the power of standing together. Now is the time to keep pushing forward, to amplify women’s voices while inviting men to join us as allies and advocates. We need men who will stand beside us, who believe in a world where everyone, regardless of gender, race, or background, can thrive and realise their full potential.

Our path forward is clear. Let’s commit to building a culture of respect and inclusion, one that prioritises women’s autonomy and encourages men to support us in that goal. This journey won’t be easy, especially now, but it’s essential. Progress doesn’t happen overnight, nor does it end at the ballot box. The real work begins now, in how we choose to rebuild, refocus, and move forward—together.