One Billion Rising 2023 launched globally with the theme: RISE FOR FREEDOM in the month of November and December – coinciding with 16 Days of Activism.
Groups from around the world gathered to highlight what freedom means to them and to demand
freedom from femicide, rape, abuse, poverty, oppression, political persecution, economic injustice, environmental plunder and destruction, labor and sexual exploitation, war, harassment, racism, discrimination and exclusion. The launches are in preparation for their major Risings taking place on February 14, 2023 – One Billion Rising Global Day of Action. These launches were coordinated and led by OBR global coordinators from around the world, and grassroots activists and artists.
Alongside the Rise For Freedom Call for 2023 is also the aspirational action to Create The New Culture – where activists are imagining, creating, envisioning and rising for a future where equality, respect, dignity, care, inclusion, community, connection and love are at the core.
Here are the highlights of global One Billion Rising 2023 Launches that took place between November 25, 2022 (International Day For The Elimination Of Violence Against Women) and December 10, 2022 (International Human Rights Day).
JOIN US on February 14, 2023 for ONE BILLION RISING: RISE FOR FREEDOM
HONG KONG
Domestic and Migrant workers held a dance protest – Rising for Women’s Rights and emancipation, and Rising for more social protection and services. They are rising for freedom from social exclusion and freedom from slave wages.
SERBIA
Launched with an outdoor performance of a symbolic “women’s cemetery” on the high cases of femicide in the country. They also held an outdoor self-defense empowerment workshop for women and girls.
PHILIPPINES
The OBR Philippine task force group made up sectors from the women’s grassroots movement, youth, women workers, women farmers, indigenous communities, parliamentarians, teachers, LGBTQ communities, artists and journalists launched Rise for Freedom campaigns on social media and at protest actions. They highlighted the issues of ending violence and harassment of women in places of work, and freeing women political prisoners. They are rising for freedom from poverty and political oppression.
Indigenous people are rising to protect and defend land and resources, and for self determination
Workers are rising for the freedom to organize and unionize
LGBTQI are rising for equality
The youth are rising for safe, accessible and quality education
Among others….
CROATIA
Launched with a press conference in one of their most popular theatres with V-Day artists and activists. Here they shared their long history with “The Vagina Monologues” and V-Day and also shared plans for February 2023. OBR Activists also held a ceremony: “13 minutes of silence for 13 murdered women – Not one more victim – not one woman less”, highlighting the issue of high rates of femicide.
MEXICO
Launched with a press conference at the their House of Congress with congressional allies and artists – launching for an end to violence against women and girls.
ITALY
Held a nationwide social media campaign on the topics of women’s body freedom and land protection. They are also rising to highlight the hate women are experiencing online. Another launch initiative of OBR Italy is to support Italian female gymnasts who have been reporting that they have been abused and bullied by their coaches. Cities around the country also held OBR flash mobs.
GUATEMALA
Launched in schools with teachers and youth groups – Rising for Freedom for the Future
ESWATINI
Created a short film on Rising for Freedom to launch OBR 2023. And held various OBR community circles as well as a press conference.
Rising for a humane socio-economic environment for all – and collective protection of Mother Earth. OBR Eswatini has been holding multiple OBR 2023 launch events with V-men rising and women from various communities.
INDIA
Launched with a mock court to create awareness on violence against women, and a street play on the way a court functions. Also launched with migrant labor communities – demanding freedom from unemployment and poverty. A major launch action is the Traveling art and film festival to raise awareness on the varied and multi-layered and intersectional issues of women’s rights.
LESOTHO
Launched with a march in collaboration with LGBTQI organization – The People Metriz, Lesotho – to raise awareness on violence experienced by transgender communities. They continue to have launch risings in celebrations and commemorations of women survivors, mental health, equal rights, among others.
JAPAN
Launched with OBR/ Break The Chain flash mobs, dancing outside various main train stations and buy main roads – to create awareness on gender based violence. They also held dialogues and symposiums on what freedom means to Japanese women, as well as street performances on the “Unconscious Patriarchy In Japanese Society”
BOTSWANA
Launched in junior secondary schools as part of 16 days of activism
NIGERIA
Launched with the youth at the forefront, highlighting their views and concerns about the environment
AUSTRIA
Launched with a performance art of the Red Line at the Vienna Main Library – putting focus on the high numbers of femicide. OBR Activists and artists also held outdoor OBR flash mobs in preparation for the main Rising event in February. They also launched in solidarity with the women of Iran and all women oppressed worldwide.
INDONESIA
Launched with the theme “Rise For Freedom: Rise for Climate Justice”
SINGAPORE
Launched OBR 2023 with the formation of their new OBR Youth Wing – Rising for the Future
CAMBODIA
Launched OBR to commemorate 16 days of activism, highlighting the youth, communities and Mother Earth
GERMANY
OBR Germany held simultaneous launched in many key cities around the country. One of the highlights is OBR Munich where they distributed information brochures and fresh croissants at Munich Central Station because “violence does not come in the bag”. OBR Munich and OBR Germany have also held Rise For Freedom Solidarity actions in support of the women of Iran.
KENYA
Launched with the key focus of Rising for the freedom to transact business – which means no sex for fish
CONGO
Gathered in the V-world farm on December 3, 2022, residents and staff of the City of Joy, guests and V-world farm rose to fight against the forms of violence that women and girls continue to survive in their communities. They voiced women’s concerns and demanded freedom. Freedom of expression, freedom of reproduction, freedom of autonomy, freedom of thought, freedom of choice, freedom of movement, etc. were the refrain of their expression and song. It was demanded to break the chains that have long burdened and numbed women and girls in their families, societies, churches, schools, and workplaces.
SRI LANKA
OBR Sri Lanka launched with a community of young people at Mannar District – in preparation for a bigger Rise For Freedom workshop taking place on New Year’s Day.
OBR AFRICA VIRTUAL LAUNCH
19 countries in Africa held a One Billion Rising Africa 2023 virtual launch to talk about freedom in the global context and to discuss and dissect what freedom means to the women of Africa. Speakers included V (formerly Eve Ensler/ founder of V-Day and One Billion Rising), Monique Wilson (OBR Global Director), Christine Schuler Deschryver (Executive Director of City of Joy) and special Guest Speaker Glanis Changachirere, from the African Women Leaders Forum. OBR Namibia Coordinator Irene Garoes and OBR Namibia artists performed powerful poetry. The launch was hosted by Colani Hlatjwako (OBR African Regional Coordinator and OBR Eswatini Coordinator).