One Billion Rising

Have you heard about One Billion Rising? It's a global day of action on 14th February 2013 to inspire 1 billion women and girls, and the people who love them, to dance to demand an end to violence against all women and girls. Why 1 billion? Because the UN estimates that one in three women on earth (1 billion women) will be raped or sexually assaulted in her lifetime.

Here in Norwich, we're aiming to inspire 20,000 women and girls (approximately one in three women who live in the city) and men and boys to dance on 14th February. It's less than 30 days away so the pressure is on but we are getting people on board every day and we're marketing this virally through social media and word-of-mouth e.g. women are going to their dance tutors and spreading the word through their dance classes. The Chief Fire Officer emailed his staff to ask them to dance with him which was pretty cool. We are in touch with women dancing all over the world via Twitter and Facebook which is really exciting. There is a campaign dance that people are learning across the globe. You can watch it here: www.norwichrising.wordpress.com/dance. We're encouraging people to get together with friends and colleagues and learn the dance and we have set up some weekly rehearsals (6pm at the Garage on Thursdays; 10am at the Forum on Sundays) where people can meet up with others.

We're going to have a mass dance outside the Forum in Norwich at 1pm on 14th February and we are encouraging people to dance with us there or wherever they are and in whatever way they can. I'm going to be making a film about Norwich Rising and would love you to send me clips of you dancing to include in the movie. Future Radio 107.8fm (www.futureradio.co.uk/listenlive) will be playing the Campaign song so people can dance with us in their homes, schools, workplaces etc

Please spread the word.