Melbourne - get ready to RISE up.

Melbourne – get ready to RISE up, STRIKE back and DANCE your protest about violence and exploitation!

The 14th of February, 2013, will see people of Melbourne join with communities around the world and take part in a global protest about the horrifying fact that 1 in 3 women will experience violence and/or exploitation in their lifetime.

So disturbed by these statistics, and spurred on by the stories that she had heard first hand, Eve Ensler [of Vagina Monologues fame and founder of the V-Day movement] determined that in honour of V-Day’s 15th anniversary, 2013 would be the year of One Billion Rising.

The intention of One Billion Rising is to change the paradigm of protests – to make women and their experiences visible to the wider community – to make the world take notice. Visibility occurs through the sharing of stories, through calls to action across the full spectrum of media outlets, and most importantly – through DANCE.

Dance will become a living symbol of women’s visibility – of our bodies being celebrated, being strong, being creative, being passionate and being alive. In too many communities around the world women’s bodies have been shamed by society – for being indecent, for being tantalising, for being visible. One Billion Rising seeks to challenge those views.

The organisers of One Billion Rising Melbourne came together out of a shared belief that women deserve to feel safe, respected and empowered. Inspired by the words of Eve Ensler and her One Billion Rising ambassadors, we decided to bring the protest to the heart of Melbourne – to Fed Square.

Over the past two months of collaboration, networking and promotion, One Billion Rising Melbourne has grown into a dynamic collective of passionate individuals along with peak women’s and social justice organisations such as the YWCA Australia, Gabriela Australia, Domestic Violence Victoria, Women’s Legal Service Victoria, SE CASA and Trades Hall.

We have been thrilled by the groundswell of support that has surged up through our social media networks. Women and men are sharing their stories, their heroes and their reasons for rising on February 14th.

Some reasons include:

“I am a battered mother. I am sick of being put down. Sick of putting up with. Sick of being wrong. Sick of apologising.”

“I’m a victim and survivor of rape and this is a beautiful way of being heard for the cause of awareness and bringing an end to these heinous crimes! If you need any help, please reach out to me…”

“I am rising because women hold up HALF THE SKY and too large a percentage of our sisters have been raped, beaten and oppressed…when you empower a woman, you change the world… RISE UP MELBOURNE!!!”

What is striking about this campaign is that while it is ostensibly about women’s voices being heard and bodies being seen – it is also an opportunity for men to rise up and acknowledge that are part of the solution and can help change the way society perceives and subsequently treats women. Ambassadors include people like Robert Redford, as well as local advocates for women’s rights like Phillip Werner, the organiser of the Jill Meagher Peace March in 2012.

Ultimately, the goal of the One Billion Rising movement is to change the outcomes for women – to reduce the number of victims of violence and exploitation; to empower women and men to create respectful relationships; and to change the attitudes of policy makers and those who implement justice within our communities.

Melbourne will be joined by communities across Australia – ensuring that the discussion happens both locally and as part of a national agenda.

Join us on February 14 2013 as we RISE up, STRIKE back and DANCE our protest!

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Event Details:

What: One Billion Rising Melbourne Dance Protest

When:   Thursday 14^th February 2013, 6pm – 8pm

Where:                   Meet at Fed Square’s Main Stage –

6-7pm: dance, be inspired, rise up!

7-8pm: dance across the Princes Bridge to Queen Victoria Gardens for our One Billion Rising Dance Party / Protest

Why: Because 1 in 3 women will experience violence and/or exploitation in their lifetime – that’s One Billion too many!

Contact us:

One Billion Rising Melbourne website: www.obrmelbourne.com

One Billion Rising on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneBillionRisingMelbourne?ref=hl

One Billion Rising on Twitter: www.twitter.com/OBRMelbourne

RSVP on the official website: http://www.onebillionrising.org/page/event/detail/startarising/wrr8