Wednesday 13th February, 2013 Media Release

Women’s Refuge Supports 1 Billion Rising

Use love on Valentines Day to show respect for women and children and remember another V-day, a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls, says Women’s Refuge Chief Executive Heather Henare.

Called ‘1 Billion Rising’ this international V-day movement has sparked thousands of events throughout the world on February 14th and marks the one in three woman on the planet who will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. There are 14 events planned throughout New Zealand.

“As New Zealand’s leading agency in providing domestic violence services, we reach more than 15,000 women a year and tens of thousands more who call our crisis lines – one call every six minutes,” says Ms Henare. “Like it or not, New Zealand represents a chunk of those 1 Billion women throughout the world.”

Ms Henare says, “until all society respects women’s autonomy, her right to have safe, peaceful and loving relationships, which is a simple ask, there will be families blighted by fear, threats and all kinds of violence.”

In Wellington the 1 Billion Rising event will be staged at Frank Kitts Park at noon on February 14th and will include a choreographed dance.

The campaign, which is in it’s 15th year serves as a catalyst to promote creative events internationally to increase awareness, raise money and revitalise existing anti-violence organisations.

ENDS

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