One Billion Rising: Rise For Revolution 2016 season has now started in earnest and is in full swing, starting with OBR Revolution launches starting on 25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – which begins the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in the following countries and cities, organised by many of the incredible global coordinators:

ITALY

From Nico Corradini and Nicoletta Billi (OBR Italy Coordinators)

20 November : OBR Italy Launch

25 November: MODENA/ PISTOIA/ PARMA/ PAVIA/ BERGAMO/ PORTICO (Naples)/ VIAREGGIO/ LECCE & FROSINONE/ VENAROA REALE to host One Billion Rising Events/Flashmobs

GUATEMALA and CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA

From Marsha Lopez Calderon (OBR Central and South America Regional Coordinator)

24 November: One Billion Rising Forum

25 November 25: Marsha Lopez to be interviewed about OBR by Antigua TV Channel

26 November: Marsha Lopez to be interviewed about OBR on one of Guatemala’s top TV shows with Dionisio Gutierrez (to business man of the country)

30 November: Interview on Radio Punto talking about VAW and HIV prevention as part of OBR Revolution

1 December:  Special OBR activity to be held at University Galileo for HIV prevention and free testing on World Aid’s Day

CHILE/ SPAIN/ COLOMBIA:

25 November: Holding special OBR flash mobs of “Break The Chain”

PANAMA/ HONDORAS/ NICARAGUA

Between 25-29 November: OBR activities with UNETE (an Artist Network campaigning with the UN)

MEXICO

From Andres Naime (OBR Mexico Coordinator)

Week of 25 November: One Billion Rising media launches around Mexico

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

From Christine Schuler-Deschryver (OBR Congo Coordinator)

27 November:  The rising which is launched in November 2015 coincides with The Official 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign with the theme “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All!” It is a campaign that focuses specifically on the relationship between militarism and the right to education in situations of violent conflict, in relative peace, and variety of education settings, while continuing to make the links with militarism, as an encompassing patriarchal system of discrimination and inequality based on our relationships to power. It will be launched in the V-World Farm ­ a farm that proves that a new world is possible. The rising in DRC in 2016 will bring “THE GREEN REVOLUTION” into focus. Since we started rising and standing in solidarity with women across the world who experience violence in general and those from DRC who have experienced great losses including loss of lives, rape, kidnapping, incest, etc., we need the humanity and the Congo to bring national and international focus to another aspect that needs revolution and for which we are determined to invite people to rise and create a new kind of consciousness through resistance and action.

PHILIPPINES

From Joan Salvador and Joms Salvador of GABRIELA (OBR Philippine Coordinators)

24 November: OBR DAVAO CITY/ SOUTHERN MINDANAO Launch

Coordinated by Gabriela, Gabriela Women’s party, Save our Schools Network, Gabriela Youth, Salugpungan (Lumad organisations), League of Filipino Students, Migrante, Kilusand Mayo Uno (workers), Alliance of Concerned Teachers, among many other NGO’s and schools:

1 – 5pm / Rizal Park Davao City

A picket will begin the event, followed by a march to Rizal Park. After the lighting of 2 torches for OBR and 18 Day Campaign Against VAW, there will be speeches on OBR, Migrant Rights, Rights of Indigenous People’s, Political Prisoners, with OBR dance and special OBR Dance Lumad version, and community dancing

25 November: OBR MANILA Launch

“#LabananAngAbuso” (“Stop The Abuse”) campaign

Nationally coordinated by Gabriela and Gabriela Women’s Party

The Women’s Unity Walk and Caravan to mark the Philippine National Consciousness Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 and the launch of One Billion Rising Philippines

6am: Bike Rise Ride to Raise Awareness (Quezon City Memorial Circle)

6am: Caravan led by Gabriela to Bonifacio Shrine Manila

8 – 11am: Dance and Music OBR Revolution Program

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

From Gabriela Philippines/ UAE International Chapter

27 November: 4th year Anniversary of Gabriela UAE and OBR event:

“Fight for the Rights of Self Determination of our Indigenous Lumad”

1 – 4:30pm, Deira DUBAI

SWAZILAND

From Colani Hlatjwako (OBR Swaziland Coordinator)

28 November: One Billion Rising Swaziland launch:

“Rising with the Marginalized” (Artistic March)

INDIA

From Abha Bhaiya (OBR India Coordinator)

29 November: One Billion Rising DELHI flashmob

From 3 – 5pm, School and College students will congregate at the DLF Saket Mall for a One Billion Rising “Break the Chain” flashmob

BANGLADESH

From Khushi Kabir (OBR Bangladesh Coordinator)

30 November:  One Billion Rising Bangladesh launch as part of 16 Days of Activism and South Asian Day

ZIMBABWE

From Nyasha Sengayi (OBR Zimbabwe Coordinator)

2 December: One Billion Rising Zimbabwe launch/ flashmob dance event

MIAMI, USA

From Marya Meyer (OBR Miami Coordinator)

10 December (International Human Rights Day): One Billion Rising MIAMI Launch:

“One Billion Rising Voices, Listening to the Voices of our Most Marginalized”

Miami Dade College, Chapman Center and via live streaming to all  8 campuses. 

*Representative voices from a survivor of sex trafficking, a survivor of the Foster Care system, Urgent Inc. teen actor with film trailer about the intersection between teen dating violence and sex trafficking, plus spoken word by Viking Freedom Writers and “at risk” creative youth.

Eve Ensler  – guest / via live Skype/ video pod cast

NEW MEXICO, USA

From Jessica Montoya (OBR New Mexico Coordinator)

25 November: Youth Rising through creative interpretation and artistic expressions of Tewa Women United’s A’Gin Healthy Sexuality and Body Sovereignty Program’s Curriculum.

*More photos to come as events unfold around the world throughout the 16 Days of Activism