February 14: Dance with the One Billion Rising Revolution To End Violence Against Women

Violence has power. But active peacemaking has power too. Have you heard of One Billion Rising? It’s the largest mass action in human history to end violence against women. This global movement is based on the horrifying statistic that 1 in every 3 women in the world will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. With the world’s population at 7 billion, that’s one billion women and girls.

Launched on Valentine’s Day 2012, One Billion Rising expanded to 200 countries by 2014. It evolved in 2015 into the One Billion Rising Revolution. In 2016, the revolution escalates!

• The rallying cry is for systemic change: “overhauling, challenging, and fighting” corrupt systems…

• The goal is justice “for all survivors of gender violence and the impunity that protects perpetrators...”

• The determination is to “create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.”

• How can we get started?

• Be inspired by mass gatherings worldwide. See the panoramic YouTube video "One Billion Rising 2015 - La Rivoluzione."

• Sing with the music video "Break the Chain” (with captions on, to catch every word)!

• Learn the dance steps at "How to: Break the Chain Choreography" and introduce it to others. Also see “How to Dance ‘Break the Chain’ -- for the mobility compromised!”

• Check out the One Billion Rising Revolution website for more ideas. Don’t miss the toolkit, under “Resources.”

• Make use of Lutheran Peace Fellowship’s Women's Peace Resources for inspiration and empowerment. See "Stopping Violence Against Women and Girls," the “Women's Video Gallery,” and more.

• Pass this blogpost on to your friends. And share with us what inspires you to stop violence against women and girls, and to promote peace instead!

Lily R.Wu and Alan Forsberg