On 14 February, around the world, people just like you will respond to the call of ONE BILLION RISING in global opposition to violence against women and girls.
One in three women on the planet is raped or beaten in her lifetime, according to the UN. That is ONE BILLION WOMEN violated.
One billion daughters, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, lovers and friends.
West Cork Women Against Violence welcomes and appreciates the initiative taken by WEST CORK STRIKE DANCE RISE! We too will lend our voice in supporting the global effort to raise awareness of the epidemic of violence against women, whether it is the shooting of young schoolgirls who want an education in Afghanistan, the female genital mutilation of little girls in the Saharan sub- continent, acid attacks on young women in Pakistan, the mass rape of women in conflict zones or the abuse of women and children in their own homes right here in Ireland.
But 1 billion women dancing, 1 billion women rising up and stopping what they do for an hour to dance together in solidarity, to dance in celebration of who we are and in protest of what is done to us is a statement of our intent to continue to combat Violence Against Women the only way we know how, not with guns or fists but by reclaiming our bodies for ourselves, by standing together, and on 14 February by asking all of you to dance with us and proclaim our right to live safe and free.
ONE BILLION RISING is:
• A global movement
• An invitation to dance
• A call to women and men to refuse to participate in the status quo until rape and rape culture ends
• An act of solidarity, demonstrating to women the commonality of their struggles and their power in numbers
• A refusal to accept violence against women and girls as a given
Activists worldwide are rising along with high profile supporters, civic leaders, and a wide range of grassroots and global organizations to call for an end to Violence Against Women and Girls.
One Billion Rising has asked all of us around the world to demonstrate our rejection of violence against women by coming out and dancing on 14 FEBRUARY.
Here in West Cork, we too have the chance to Rise Up and Dance and help shake the world on 14 February 2013, at 1.30 PM Wolfe Town Square, Bantry demanding an end to violence against women and girls.
To learn more check out : http://onebillionrising.org Find out the facts, learn the dance moves and see for yourself the extent of this event and then come and join us as we Rise Up and Dance in solidarity with women around the world.
To get involved locally check out our facebook page: facebook.com/West Cork-Strike Dance Rise!
Or phone West Cork Women on 027 53847 for more information.