On Jan. 21,  hundreds of thousands of women marched the streets all over the world demanding social, political and economic equality. Less than 48 hours later, newly-elected U.S. President Donald Trump seemed to turn a blind eye to the widespread dissent as he signed an anti-abortion executive order.

While not all who advocate for equality of the sexes advocate for abortion, this executive order should still be concerning for all women. When women march, they are not only marching for rights here in the U.S., but for women’s rights around the globe.

Trump’s executive order, according to the Washington Post, prohibits the U.S. government from giving aid to international nongovernmental organizations that offer family planning services if the organization provides abortion services or information about abortions.

According to the World Health Organization, in developing countries the
e are an estimated 21 million women per year who have unsafe abortions. The organizations that Trump has defunded were trying to combat the health risks that are associated with those hazardous practices. Defunding these organizations isn’t just a blow to women who need safe abortions, it also cuts resources for safe and reliable healthcare, something that many women around the world are struggling to gain access to. The inevitably negative effects of defunding these organizations make fighting against Trump’s anti-abortion order that much more important.

This executive order, however, should not be seen as discouraging. While it might be frustrating that activist efforts like the women’s marches haven’t made a difference in the particular context of this executive order, the solution is to keep marching, not to sit on the sidelines. Trump’s order is a reminder that there is more work to be done, that women in underdeveloped countries have less comfort than we do at home. There are women out there whose source of reliable healthcare has been wiped away by Trump’s signature, and that shouldn’t be forgotten.

Don’t be discouraged by who’s sitting in the oval office, just recognize that we have a ways to go before equality is reached. And while circumstances like these are sometimes frustrating, equality is a goal that requires recognizing the miles ahead and continuing to march them. A bump in the path shouldn’t be mistaken for the end of the path or a reason to give up. Instead of letting progressive efforts be overpowered by measures that seem to counteract them, we should view those measures as reminders that there is still ground to cover.

Trump tweeted after the  women’s march, “Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I don’t always agree, I recognize the rights of people to express their views.” 

While Trump’s tweet may have said, “I see you,” as he signed the executive order, his pen seemed to say, “March? What march?”

We’ll try to be a bit louder next time.