One Billion Rising:
7 Answers

Mirjam Stoffels

O ne in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. One billion women violated is an antrocity.
One billion women dancing is a revolution!

Yesterday I became part of the revolution of women and men who will walk out, dance, rise up and demand an end to violence against women and girls. It all happens today on Valentine’s day, February 14, 2013.

V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. In conjunction with V-Day’s 15th anniversary they launched its most ambitious campaign to date: One Billion Rising – Strike, Dance, Rise!

 
One Billion Risin is a global strike. An invitation to dance. A call to men and women 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. A new time and a new way of being.

One Billion Rising was brought to my attention only yesterday. To short a notice to organize a big One Billion Rising Event with hundreds of people dancing, I thought. But then again: I love the challenge! And I ask you to join me in this challenge! In the spirit of One Billion Rising leave your work today, leave your school, interrupt the day to dance and demand an end to the violence! Tape your dance and upload your dance to YouTube! Leave the url of your YouTube video down below in the comment box! All our video’s together can make a difference!

 
#1
Why dance?
When One Billion bodies rise and dance today on February 14, 2013, we will join in solidarity, purpose and energy and shake the world into a new consciousness. Dancing insists we take up space. It has no set direction but we go there together. It’s dangerous, joyous, sexual, holy, disruptive. It breaks the rules. It can happen anywhere at anytime with anyone and everyone. It’s free. No corporation can control it. It joins us and pushes us to go further. It’s contagious and it spreads quickly. It’s of the body. It’s transcendent.

 
#2
Why should I join?
To show the world that you want to end violence against one billion women and girls! By being a part of One Billion Rising we will all discover our solidarity and the scope of this issue. We will come to know that ending violence against women is as important as ending poverty, or Aids or global warming. We will come to see that it is not a local issue or particular to any culture or religion or village or age. We will come to see what is possible. When One Billion bodies rise and dance today, we will join in solidarity, purpose and energy and shake the world into a new consciousness.

 
#3
Why February 14, 2013?
Today is V-Day’s 15th anniversary. When V-Day 14 started years ago, they had the outrageous idea that they could end violence against women. Though we have seen many victories over the years, violence against women and girls is still prevalent. One Billion Rising is an appreciation, amplification and an escalation.

 
#4
Do I have to dance outdoors?
No! In some areas of the world it is cold in February…

 
#5
What music should I play and what to dance?
OK, that is two questions… One Billion Rising has an anthem: Break the Chain. You can use Break the Chain and dance the official One Billion Rising dance to it [choreographed by Debbie Allen]. But of course you don’t have to. Choose music that will best motivate you and the ones you dance with! And dance the way you like and with whom you like! Just strike, dance and rise!!

 
#6
Is it OK if I rise alone?
Yes! Whether you are alone, with a friend or with hundreds of thousands more, you’re making a difference!

 
#7
How can I join One Billion Rising?
That one’s easy… Join my challenge! And click One Billion Rising to join the movement!

 
So let’s make a difference!
Strike, dance, rise up and demand an end to violence against women and girls!
Dance, tape your dance, upload it to YouTube and share the url of your YouTube video down below in the comment box!
Thank you!

Mirjam Stoffels

Founder of seven2success. Passionate entrepreneur and always interested in personal and business growth. In my mission to make seven2success the biggest platform of knowledge and information for women, by women, I want to inspire you with our content! Also check us on Facebook and Twitter! I’d love to connect! Do you want to inspire other women? Write for us!

 
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