On Feb. 14, the Kent State University Women’s Center will join with activists around the world for One Billion Rising for Justice. The campaign will build upon the energy and momentum that was created on Feb. 14, 2013, when one billion activists in 207 countries and territories came together to rise, strike and dance in the biggest mass action in human history to demand an end to violence against women and girls.
One Billion Rising began as a call to action based on the statistic that one in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at seven billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls.
The Women’s Center at Kent State University will join activists, writers, thinkers, celebrities, and women and men across the world on Feb. 14 as they express their outrage, demand change, strike, dance and rise in defiance of the injustices women suffer, demanding an end to violence against women. As part of the One Billion Rising global campaign, the Women’s Center at the university is teaming up with the SRVSS (Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services) Office and many others on campus and in the community to raise awareness about the oppression of and violence against women.
“Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to participate, and the Women’s Center extends an invitation to the community to join us,” said Cassandra Pegg-Kirby, assistant director of the Women’s Center at Kent State. “Anyone can participate by learning the Break the Chains dance found on the One Billion Rising website at www.onebillionrising.org, coming by in support or signing the pledge to rise up and help end the violence. Those interested can visit the Women’s Center webpage or Facebook page for important information and updates, as well as for times to rise and dance on Friday, Feb. 14.”
There also will be an information table and pledge signing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kent Student Center.
To learn more about One Billion Rising activities at Kent State, call 330-672-9230 or e-mail wc@kent.edu.
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Media Contacts:
Cassandra Pegg-Kirby, cpeggkir@kent.edu, 330-672-9230
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595