One Billion Rising call to action

One Billion Rising (OBR) unites people globally in the dream of a world devoid of exploitation, discrimination and violence.

OBR continues to become the catalyst and the energy that intensifies local campaigns and struggles, strengthens local and global solidarity, harnesses creative collective action, and contributes to the struggle of women everywhere for a life based on democracy, justice, peace and equality.

More importantly, OBR continues to connect local communities to the larger global solidarity movement. [Cited from: http://www.onebillionrising.org/about/campaign].
Yes, on Wednesday, February 14, Whanganui will again be rising to support this worldwide event. One Billion Rising has been widely recognised as the largest mass action to end violence against women in human history.

The campaign was launched on Valentine's Day in 2012, and the following year people from around the globe came together in an expression of their desire to end the violence, with a staggering 200 countries participating. From large cities to small villages across continents people gathered outside courthouses, police stations, and government buildings; some of them even went on strike; men and women danced in public spaces, particularly in those where women often feel unsafe.

This visible and defiant display to rise up against injustice set itself on a course to challenge inequalities, and to highlight the intersection of powerful systemic forces such as poverty and patriarchy, racism and conflict, imperialism and capitalism, as well as the plundering of our environment.

Last year OBR generated strength from the women's marches that gathered in protest across America. Here in Whanganui we will once again lead the world as the global campaign co-ordinators have heralded our event as the first in the world to kick off the rising this Valentine's Day.

In showcasing the power of art and dance, the thousands of global OBR events over the last five years have generated a galvanising political power that has resulted in the birth of new political leadership, and has created legislative change.
While it has strengthened the might of the women's movement, an emerging collective voice and vision has created safer platforms for men to come forward and articulate their own call to action.

It is, of course, undeniable that men are also victims of gender violence, however the overwhelming proportion of victims continue to be women and girls.
Patriarchal structures remain endemic in informing the political behaviour of those in power, rendering females marginalised in their opportunities to participate in education, gain access to health services, or maintain economic freedom and independence. In dancing together at OBR events, it enables individuals to reclaim their bodies, to release fierceness and a renewed energy that can facilitate collective joy, perhaps even powerful enough to become a revolution.

This year OBR aims to build upon the success of the previous years. As people have danced and demanded justice, 2018 is the year to demand solidarity.
Come and join the revolution from 11am in Majestic Square this Valentine's Day where you'll have the chance to dance, to gather together, or just be a silent witness to a phenomenon that sees one billion participants in events around the globe.

Check out the Whanganui event details on the OBR Facebook page, and visit: www.onebillionrising.org or email: womnet.wang@callplus.net.nz

One Billion Rising is the first of around 90 events that form the shape of La Fiesta 2018. The festival guide is out and about in cafes, libraries, and good places around town, or check out all the details on our official website is lafiestanz.com.