Friday 16 October 2020

Fighting for Mother Earth and women; Rising Gardens

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


Indiegu Joyce is the founder Two Point Five media ltd and also the creative coordinator for one billion rising Kenya. She echoes Cecilia’s sentiments by taking it a notch higher by taking it to the cinemas through a feature film and create discussions. 

Joyce is optimistic One Billion Rising 2021 is a voice for the voiceless and will be very impactful.



Rita Mutheu Kigera

Rita Mutheu Kigera is the One Billion Rising Kenya community outreach advocate/grassroots organizer.                                          

Kenya is working on a different approach with plans already underway to identify and highlight various persons to be part of the one billion rising Kenya.