UCLan to host annual One Billion Rising community event
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is once again joining a global movement to demand an end to violence against women.
For the seventh year in a row, the University is inviting the wider community to take part in the One Billion Rising for Justice (VDay) event on Thursday 14 February as part of a world-wide awareness campaign.
The Preston gathering, organised by the UCLan Creative Communities Group (CCGUK), will take place from 12.30pm – 1.30pm in the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre. Visitors can join in a group dance led by instructor and World Salsa Dance champion Phil Kaila and Salsa Northwest.
One Billion and Rising takes place on the 14 February every year in hundreds of countries. People are encouraged to gather in places of safety, such as schools and places of worship, and stand in solidarity against the alarming statistic that one in three women will be beaten or raped in their lifetime. With the world population at seven billion, this adds up to more than one billion women and girls.
The message is not only standing against violence towards woman and girls but also to address wider issues such as worker exploitation, poverty, racism, refugee rights and transphobia.
"One Billion is the biggest mass action in human history and we are proud to be involved for the seventh year running. All members of the community are welcome to come along and join us in sending out a powerful message."
Nigel Farnworth, UCLan Creative Communities Group (CCG) manager who is helping to organise the gathering, commented: “One Billion is the biggest mass action in human history and we are proud to be involved for the seventh year running. All members of the community are welcome to come along and join us in sending out a powerful message.”
People are free to turn up on the day at the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre on UCLan’s Preston Campus, which sits behind Foster Building. Anyone wanting more information can contact Nigel Farnworth by calling 01772 894707.
The event will be filmed and then shared on the One Billion Rising website along with others from across the world.
Discover more about the One Billion Rising movement by visiting the One Billion Rising website or follow @VDAY on Twitter. For more information about the UCLan Creative Communities Group, or follow @ccg_uk on Twitter. You can also watch Julie Ward MEP thank the Creative Communities Group Preston and UCLan for taking part in One Billion Rising for Justice here.