Dance for solidarity: Flashmob against violence on Valentine's Day in Oberhausen

Dance for solidarity: Flashmob against violence on Valentine's Day in Oberhausen

On January 21, 2025, the city of Oberhausen focuses on a global movement that draws attention to violence against women and girls. On Valentine's Day, February 14, 2025, the flash mob "One Billion Rising 2025" takes place under the motto "Rise for Empathy". This campaign aims to set a strong sign against violence and to put the challenges that women and girls facing into public awareness. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. at Westfield Centro, Place of good hope.

The alarm bells ring in view of the alarming UN statistics, which says that every third woman is raped in the course of her life or becomes a victim of an act of violence. Britta Costecki, the equality officer of the city of Oberhausen, emphasizes how important it is to strengthen the community through the action and show solidarity.

preparation for the flashmob

In order to set the participants to the campaign, several free training dates will be offered from February 3, 2025. These take place in the following locations and data:

• 3. February 2025 at 5 p.m. in the parish hall of the Christuskirche, Weseler Straße 107
• 10. February 2025 at 5 p.m. in the parish hall of the Christuskirche
• 5. February 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Theater Oberhausen, Pforte/stage entrance Sedanstrasse
• 12. February 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Theater Oberhausen

Registration for the training dates is not required. The choreography comes from the worldwide “Break the Chain” campaign, which pursues the goal of setting a sign of solidarity by dancing together.

partnerships and support

The campaign is supported by various Oberhausen cooperation partners. These include the equality office of the city of Oberhausen, women help women e.V. Oberhausen, the Evangelical Youth, the municipal network for girls' support, the municipal integration center, the Caritasverband Oberhausen e.V., the Bildungswerk Ruhrwerkstatt e.V. This cooperation is intended to ensure that the message of solidarity and empathy is taught comprehensively.

If you need further support in participating in "One Billion Rising", you can contact the equality office of the city of Oberhausen. This can be reached by e-mail at genderungungsstelle@oberhausen.de or by phone at 0208-8252050.

The event stands in a long tradition of protests against violence against women and girls, the goal remains: to mobilize and combine the sensitized community. As in 2024, when the event took place under the motto "Rise for Freedom", the grievances that affect many women worldwide are also pointed out this time. onebillionrising.de and Oberhausen.de report from the wave of solidarity and strength that arises from joint action.