The 2013 Valentines Day event, One Billion Rising was held at Fed Square on February 14, 2013. Over 2,000 people gathered at The Stage to participate in a global dance protest.

One Billion Rising is the brainchild of Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues ad founder of the Valentines Day movement. Her focus is for communities around the world to bring attention to the violence and exploitation experienced by 1 in 3 women in their lifetime.

One Billion Rising was an invitation for the people of Melbourne to dance their desire to see changes to the way in which women are treated – at home, in the workplace and in the community at large.

The Melbourne event featured a collaboration between passionate individuals, peak women’s organisations and a host of talented dancers and drummers who electrified the square!

We danced, we stood in solidarity and we contributed to a global demonstration that attracted over one billion participants.