In 182 countries, women will dance against violence

On February 14, one billion women, men and children in 182 countries will rise to dance and sing – calling for end to violence against women.

Be it a 20,000-strong Garba dance performance in Gujarat, led by danseuse Mallika Sarabhai, a performance by writer-activist Eve Ensler, author of the famous play ‘The Vagina Monologues”, or a piano concert by Elizabeth Sombart or just plain, simple dance – women will express solidarity with each other across the borders. “It will be a sort of global strike call against violence,” said Eve Ensler, the brain behind the “One Billion Rising” campaign, joined by hundreds of organisations and individuals across the world

“We will dance, as it is a cultural expression, of our spirit, of freedom, of our bodies.” said Ensler. She said the world was seeing the worst form of capitalism, which was encouraging a culture of rape, be it of the earth, environment or women.

Addressing the media here on Monday, Ensler said the recent protests in Delhi against the gang-rape of a 23-year-old student were something she had never seen anywhere in the world against violence on women. “The most striking thing about the protests was the massive participation of young men,” she said.

Social activist Aruna Roy, blamed the new economic policies and poor governance India for the growing “commodification:” of women. “Women are being used to lure people into buying cars, fridges etc”, she said, and added that modern consumerism along with regressive tradition was responsible for growing violence against women.

“The campaign is about stimulating collective introspection and ending all anti-women religious rites and practices in our homes and societies,’ said Kamla Bhasin, South Asian co-ordinator of the campaign.

>aditi.n@thehindu.co.in

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