One Billion Rising: huge mobilisation in Brussels!

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[Brussels, 15 February 2013] “No woman in this world should have to cry. No woman in this world should have to die!” On the tune “Rise Up, Stand Up!” more than 800 people gathered yesterday in Brussels, Place de la Monnaie, for One Billion Rising. Notwithstanding the cold weather, a crowd overfilled the square in the very centre of Brussels dancing together with EWL staff on the original song written and sung by Mary-Ann Struthers and Guy Rens and choreographied by Pierrette Pape. An unconventional Valentine’s day to show our support against violence against women.

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(Photo: Party of European Socialists) After the flash mob, people were eager to participate for one hour more to a free creative dance by Cecile Klefstad. Among them, Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva, EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Myria Vassiliadou and MEP Zita Gurmai were also active participants. A reception in the Town Hall took place later in the afternoon, where Deputy mayor of the City of Brussels Karine Lalieux, MEP Marc Tarabella, EWL and CFFB President Viviane Teitelbaum and the Nederlanstaglige Vrouwenraad President Magda De Meyer welcomed the press and women’s associations. The EWL has always put violence against women as a priority of its daily work and advocates for this cause to be high on the political agenda at any decision-making level. At the European level, the EWL has three main demands:

A European Strategy and Action Plan against violence against women;
A European Year against violence against women;
The ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) by the EU.

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One Billion Rising has been a unique opportunity to raise awareness about violence against women, in a festive way, through dancing and singing, all around the world. Watch this short video by Euronews.

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