On Feb. 14, people all around the world will be standing up against violence against women — including residents of Athabasca.
An event called One Billion Rising for Justice was started last year, as one billion people across 207 countries demanded an end to violence against women by joining flash mobs that all performed the same dance to an empowering song in public places.
The Athabasca and Area Prevention of Relationship Abuse Action Committee (PRAAC), hip-hop instructor Amanda Wallace and assistant instructor Kelly Hindy have partnered together to teach the dance locally.
Athabasca will host its dance on the same day as the rest of the world; however, many places in Canada will not, because for many cities, Feb. 14 is the annual Sisters in Sprit Walk, an international event that remembers aboriginal women who have faced violence, disappeared or been killed.
PRAAC representative Brenda (last name withheld by request) said Athabasca hosts Sisters in Spirit in the fall, so she feels it is powerful and respectful to local First Nations women to host One Billion Rising on Valentine’s Day. She said it is a way of honouring all women who have experienced violence and abuse firsthand.
“Anyone that we have mentioned it to has been so enthusiastic,” she said.
Wallace said she joined the cause because it became personal.
“All of the times that I have let people, men in particular, let people say things or hold me back because I am a woman,” Wallace said. “No more.”
Wallace said she hopes the movement will bring awareness to violence against women.
“I used to tell myself that we live in the 21st century and this doesn’t happen anymore,” Wallace said. “We need to bring awareness to the fact that this is still very much an issue, even in our modern world. It’s about not being in denial that this is still happening.”
Brenda explained one-third of the women in the world will experience some form of abuse in their lifetime.
“That is one billion women,” Brenda emphasized. “That is a lot of women.”
Brenda said this movement stands up for women and says the violence against them is not right.
“This is unacceptable. Let’s stand up against this. I count,” she said.
Anyone who would like to participate can join the dance practices every Friday at noon at Turnabout Avenue Place until Feb. 14. The locations of the flash mob performances have not been announced, though Wallace said several local businesses are being approached about hosting the event.
