International Women's Day protesters sound alarm on potential cuts to education and reproductive rights

EL CENTRO—IV 4 Human Rights organized a small gathering on International Women’s Day, March 8, bringing together a group of demonstrators at El Centro City Hall. Some participants were there to protest, while others came to celebrate and honor history-changing women.

Susan Massey, one of the attendees, spoke about the potential impact of upcoming policy changes on women. “I think so many of these changes that are going to be made are going to affect women,” she said. One such concern looming in Washington is the potential budget cuts to the Department of Education.

President Donald Trump has proposed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, a move requiring congressional approval. This could lead to reduced federal funding for key programs, including Title I for low-income schools, IDEA for students with disabilities, and Pell Grants. Programs like federal student loans and foster care provisions may also face cuts. The plan aims to shift control of education to state and local governments.

“These cuts from the federal government that provide after-school programs, tutoring, and enrichment—this enables women; this frees up women to be able to work a normal workday,” Massey explained.

“I’m really concerned about refugees,” Massey continued, explaining that she has visited women’s shelters and migrant housing. “The idea of deporting Ukrainian refugees when we know that they are in a war, we know they were welcomed in. It’s just infuriating.” The Trump administration is reportedly weighing an option to revoke the temporary legal status of over 200,000 Ukrainian refugees. In a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump told reporters, “"We're not looking to hurt anybody; we're certainly not looking to hurt them, and I'm looking at that."

“We should stand with all women,” Massey said.

Another attendee, Andrea Vanbebber, voiced her concerns about women’s access to healthcare services. “I want to support the women’s march because it’s important to have our voice heard,” she said. 

Concerns about women's right to choose

Event organizer Avril Lopez highlighted the significance of International Women’s Day and why gatherings like these matter. “I’m worried about the national abortion ban. That’s a top priority,” she stated. “The department of education because that’s going to affect women, our income, and women in general.”

In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion. The right to terminate a pregnancy now lies in the laws of each state. Justice Alito wrote the 78-page opinion. Justices Sotomayor, Breyer, and Kagan dissented.

In January of 2025, Representative Eric Burleson (R) introduced H.R.722 "Life At Conception” Bill. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The bill currently has 70 cosponsors.

International Woman’s Day has been celebrated globally for over a century, honoring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also serves as a call to action for accelerating gender equality. The first official International Women’s Day was recognized in 1911, and since then, it has grown into a worldwide movement.