15/02/2024
After being dormant for five years, yesterday One Billion Rising returned to Prague, Czech Republic! This is the biggest mass action in the world to end violence against women where people come together to dance in solidarity and celebrate that they have survived everything they've endured.
One Billion Rising was founded by V, formerly Ensler in 2013. It happens every year in over 200 cities worldwide, and anyone can start it in their city.
My name is Atreyu Whitmore Steffensen. When I was six years old, my mother, Gail Whitmore co-founded One Billion Rising - Prague. She explained that it was an event where people came together to dance to bring attention to and end the struggles women were dealing with. I didn't fully understand, and said, "What do you mean? Are people being mean to women?" As I got older, I understood it was much worse, and that women were being violated, beaten, and r***d. It is called 1 Billion Rising, because according to UN Women, 1 in 3 women will be beaten or r***d in her lifetime. That is 1 billion women worldwide. I grew up watching all of these Risings in Prague, and it truly inspired me to see my mother along with all these other strong capable women come together to do this. The last time Prague hosted a Rising was in 2019.
I chose to follow in my mother's footsteps and bring One Billion Rising back to Prague after five years because I know how important it is for women to be heard. I would like to thank Hana Stelzer, Director of Česká ženská lobby for coming to speak about the Istanbul Convention (Istanbulská úmluva) and the travesty of the Senate choosing once again not to ratify it a few weeks ago, denying countless women rights post-sexual assault, not to mention the definition of the act itself. I would like to thank 1st Prague Scout Group - British Scouting Overseas for lending the professional equipment. Thank you to Vrabec Zewlakk Petr for your fantastic photographs. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who was able to come, and to everyone who showed support. You are what makes this possible! Here is to another successful Rising!
Here you can watch the dance: https://fb.watch/qcYAAp5aRm
Here you can read about the event:
https://euroweeklynews.com/2024/02/15/one-billion-rising-across-the-world
https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/in-czechia-valentine-s-day-is-also-a-time-for-activism
https://bnnbreaking.com/world/europe/pragues-valentines-day-flash-mob-a-resurgence-of-solidarity-against-violence-towards-women
