Reliable statistics point to the fact that violence in women is part of the daily life of most women. As a matter of fact, one in three experience a certain form of violence or exploitation during her lifetime. In the world today, eleven women die due to violence-related incidents every day. Similarly, girls are sexually abused and raped daily somewhere in the world. The current count is this: almost one billion women around the world are victims of violence. And this is what One Billion Rising is all about.
Women may be empowered in Western cultures, but not everyone enjoys this freedom of will. An empowered women thought to start a campaign that serves to remind abused women the world over that there is life beyond the life that they know.
One Billion Rising: Strike. Dance. Rise.
The Day of Rising through dance is conceptualized by the celebrated author of “The Vagina Monologues.” Tony winner Eve Ensler’s One Billion Rising World Tour is in the Philippines and women will rise as a collective, showing their strength. Through dance, women will stand up against violence on Valentine’ Day, February 14, 2013. Filipinas led by theater actress and New Voice Company executive director Monique Wilson and Gabriela will join a total of 14,000 groups that vowed to declare the strength of the women of the world. On Valentine’s Day, they will show their solidarity and what better way than to do this than to dance the day away. Tomas Morato Street in Quezon City will be closed on the day that coincides to the 15th anniversary of “The Vagina Monologues.”
Eve Ensler, the founder of this movement saw women dance in the Congo. These women faced abuse and violence in their daily lives, and yet they danced with such joy and abandon. Witnessing the power of dance, Ensler was inspired into creating what is now known globally as “One Billion Rising.” The campaign was launched all over the archipelago in Manila, Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, and in Visayas and Mindanao.
This movement has found support in women’s groups the world over. Even famous Hollywood celebrities Jessica Alba, and Anne Hathaway have either openly joined the ranks or expressed support for the movement. Other celebrities who have expressed solidarity with the “One Billion Rising” Movement are icons Yoko Ono and Jane Fonda. Pulitzer winning poet Alice Walker is another outspoken supporter. His Holiness, the Dalai Lama of Tibet is another patron of the campaign.
End Violence Against Women in the Philippines
Gabriela, one of the strongest groups that defend women’s rights in the country is at high alert due to the increased incidence of violence against women and children in the country. Incest, rape, prostitution, harassment and beatings of women and children are just some of the most alarming issues that beset Filipino society. Based on statistics, a child is beaten every hour, a woman is battered every 43 minutes, and 11 women die from childbirth daily. Economic and political problems further contribute to the abuse of Filipino women’s rights.
Global campaign
The historic “day to rise” would see women in 176 countries rise up in an effort to seek the end of violence for all women. This campaign has found its way to the country after successful stops in North, Central and South America (USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru), Europe (France, Belgium, United Kingdom) and Africa (Congo). Its only other Asian stop was India.
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