Women protest violence with dance

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

DHA Photo

Twenty Turkish cities are joining today a global Valentine’s Day event that has invited 1 billion women to oppose violence against woman through dancing.

The global campaign “1 billion rising” aims to show “collective strength” and “solidarity across borders” on violence against women with millions of women expected to take part in the worldwide dance in hundreds of events throughout the world.

Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, Mardin and Zonguldak are among the cities that host the festive protest of violence against women.

In Istanbul, several events are planned both on the European and the Asian sides of the city. The first event at Sarıyer İstinyePark mall kicked the program off at noon, followed by a collective protest at Kadıköy Port Square.

The event in Taksim Square will start at 6 p.m. while there will be a second event in Kadıköy, at the ferry ports at 7 p.m.


Protest on attacks on Armenian women

Another dance event will be organized near the Armenian Surp Kevork Church to protest the increase of attacks targeting Armenians during the last two months in Istanbul’s Samatya neighborhood, especially after the murder of an elderly woman, Maritsa Küçük, at her home.

In accordance with the event’s motto, “Dancing is Revolution,” several groups have been preparing for the events by offering free lessons to women, calling them bust their moves on the big day.

The Beşiktaş Municipality has also provided free dance lessons for women.

One in every three women in the world will experience violence, such as rape, assault or beating, in her lifetime, according to the group’s website.

Today will mark the movement’s 15th anniversary, and men, as well as women, are invited to join in.

“Violence against women and girls is not only a woman’s issue; it’s a human issue. When we say everyone should join the campaign we mean EVERYONE,” a statement made on the group’s website read.