One Billion Rising was conceived and Founded by Eve Ensler in 2012 with the intention of ending rape and sexual violence against women. The movement came to life on VDay, voices campaign that aims at highlighting the voices of the victims of violence against women.
Rising through the eyes of the children
In the spirit of global connectivity
and indulgence, Kenyan chapter held a successful One Billion Rising 2020 campaign at AMREF grounds in Kibera. The
2020 campaign presented an exclusive opportunity to 100 children to add their
voices to the conversation through dance and host of other activities.
The event themed “Rising through the eyes of the children” presented the impact of
the effects of violence against women in the life of children. The children
detailed their experiences and atrocities that has befallen some of them
because of violence. The campaign aimed to reveal to the defenders of human
rights the extent to which the lives of the young ones are impacted and
therefore formulate lasting solutions to the plea of the children.
This therefore affirmed the theme “Rising through the eyes of the children”
since through the voices of the children the defenders are at a better position
to amplify the campaigns’ objectives with full knowledge of the impact the
violence has had on the lives of children. With the success of the event, the
Kenyan chapter is geared towards a greater and impactful activities for One Billion Rising 2021. Indiegu Joyce
who is the creative coordinator equips that plans are underway to
take it to the cinemas with thought provoking stories that highlight how
Climate change is a contributing factor to increased cases of gender based
violence.
Rising Gardens Campaign: One Billion Rising
2021
Founder the voices Eve Ensler in her launch
for the ONE BILLION RISING 2021 statement
writes “2020 has been the most challenging year in the recent history with
Covid-19 pandemic bring the whole world to a standstill. Many lives have been
lost and millions more infected, some health workers have lost their lives in
the process of protecting and giving care to those infected by the virus. With
women making up the highest percentage of these frontline workers and are least
valued hence least protected”
Mother earth suffers the same fate. Our lives depend on it but less has been done to conserve it, instead humans have outdone themselves in polluting and dereliction of the earth.Gardens have been very vital in providing food which is essential to human survival. It therefore connects communities with the earth. Tending a garden therefore is like nurturing our own communities. Gardening involves growing and giving and not just about taking or acquiring. Gardening therefore requires patience, diligence, mindfulness and commitment.
Rising Gardens therefore is a call of action for revival,
restoration and transformation of Mother Earth and women. The campaign aims to
stop the escalating gender based violence and dereliction of the earth. Mother
earth and women have to be accorded the value they deserve for their
contribution to life.
One Billion Rising Team, Kenya
Cecilia Brenda |
Cecilia Brenda who is the team leader For HER voice-health empowerment rights and One Billion Rising Kenya.
In 2021 Brenda alongside her team members and other partners will be rising gardens and highlighting how climate change is also a contributing factor to gender based violence and they are geared towards creating discussions around this.
Indiegu Joyce |
Joyce is optimistic One Billion Rising 2021 is a voice for the voiceless and will be very impactful.