One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action in history to end violence against women (and those marginalised for their gender). The campaign began in 2012, as a response to the UN statistic that one in three women will experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime – that’s one billion people across the globe.
More than 50 people took to the streets of Kings Heath, Birmingham, this February, to perform an in-person, coordinated flash mob performance set to the movement’s anthem ‘Break the Chain’. The song, performed across the world, has become a rallying cry for survivors and activists – a symbol of resistance, unity, and empowerment.
This year marked the third time TAWS and WE:ARE worked in partnership to deliver virtual rehearsal sessions and coordinate the event.
Among those in attendance were Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley and former Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, and Councillor for Brandwood and Kings Heath, Lisa Trickett, along with other activist groups and organisations to provide information and guidance on local support and services in the region.
Speaking at the event, Jess Phillips MP, said:
“We have to remember that no matter what progress we make, we will only make progress when we stand shoulder to shoulder, and we rise together to end violence, against men and women.
“The fight that we have today is getting harder because people think we have won. The rates of domestic abuse and sexual violence against women and girls has not declined. The fight has to continue, and so that is why we gather and that is why we do what we do.”
The event welcomed participants and volunteers from all walks of life, who bought their own experiences and perspectives to the day.
Barbara, who took part on the day, said:
“I just think it’s brilliant [for] women to come together and it’s such an important thing – as Jess Phillips said, it ain’t going away. So that’s why I came along: solidarity.”
Participant Sadiya spoke of her own experiences, and what the day meant to her:
“I just woke up one day, I phoned and I ended up at the Freedom Project. It helped me so much to meet women that had been through DV, and basically, to see that I wasn’t alone in what I went through.
“I did [the flash mob] because it’s important for me to be here and be part of this movement because women are still not safe. I speak up now for women from my culture who don’t have a voice.”
For more information about One Billion Rising, visit: https://www.onebillionrising.org/
