Dancing to stop violence against women: Romania joins 1 Billion Rising movement

It's predicted to be the biggest demonstration in human history – the 1 Billion Rising event on February 14 will see people around the world getting together and dancing to raise awareness of the mistreatment of women. A number of events are running in Romania and there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to join in and support the cause. Eve Ensler from activist group V-Day, which is organizing the 1 billion rising day of protest, said she hoped the event would help bring about a time “when women are cherished, safe, free and equal.” She highlighted the global nature of the issue, saying that women from all parts of the world, young and old, from every type of society or culture, are victims of violence. Ensler encouraged people to feel a spirit of togetherness with the whole of human kind and that they are “literally dancing up the will of the world to end violence against women and girls.” The movement estimates that one in three women will be raped or beaten during her lifetime and that a billion women around the world are being mistreated. The event has unprecedented support from people of all walks of life, and the organizers also encourage men to attend. “I could never have dreamed up the diversity of this movement,” said Esler. Political and religious leaders, monarchs, celebrities, artists, film stars... the list goes on. Starting at 19:00 on February 14, first ballerina with the Bucharest National Opera Monica Petrică and the Tango Tangent dance group will lead an event at the National Library in Bucharest. The ballerina said she accepted the invitation to participate without a moment's hesitation. “In Romania, unfortunately, women are still consistently disadvantaged in society[...]. Many lack confidence, are afraid to give their views openly and sometimes even fear persecution. It's time to stand up and support the idea that women in Romania and around the world [...] deserve to be cherished, respected, protected and especially loved,” said Monica Petrică. Shopping center AFI Palace Cotroceni is also hosting two high energy dynamic dance sessions. Starting at 17:30 and 18:30 tomorrow, the event is open to all. The V-Day movement is growing rapidly throughout the world. According to the movement's information, it is now in 167 countries, in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and all of North America. V-Day, a non-profit corporation, distributes funds to grassroots, national and international organizations and programs that work to stop violence against women and girls. In 2001, V-Day was named one of Worth Magazine's "100 Best Charities," in 2006 one of Marie Claire Magazine's Top Ten Charities, and in 2010 was named as one of the Top-Rated organizations on GreatNonprofits. In fourteen years, the V-Day movement has raised over USD 90 million. “The 'V' in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina,” says the movement's website. Find out more and get involved with