The city of West Hollywood is joining the nation in a growing movement to raise awareness about violence against women and girls for the third year in a row.

Participants from the One Billion Rising campaign showed that strength in numbers can make a difference at a V-Day event two years ago. (photo by Aaron Blevins)

One Billion Rising Revolution, or #1billionrising, is a social justice campaign utilizing art and culture to advocate for the safety of women and girls. It was launched by its international parent organization, V-Day.

Two years ago on Feb. 14, one billion people in 207 countries took part in V-Day actions to end violence against women and girls, according to One Billion Rising Revolution.

According to a United Nations report, one in three women in the world will face physical violence or rape during her lifetime. Women who are 15 through 44 years old are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, motor accidents, war and malaria, according to World Bank data used by the United Nations in the same report.

The organization takes its name from U.N. statistics, which estimates that one billion women will suffer physical violence and rape in their lifetime.

Lindsey Horvath is the global coordinator for One Billion Rising Revolution and a candidate for West Hollywood City Council. Horvath was also formerly a board member of Women Against Gun Violence, a 20-year-old advocacy organization that raises awareness on gun violence in Los Angeles County.

“V-Day has been around for a while as a global campaign to end violence against women and girls. One Billon Rising came from that. In the first year we had over 200 countries participating, with people dancing, [fighting for] legislation, education and marching,” Horvath said.

Since 2013, the support for One Billion Rising campaign has continued to grow. In 2014, V-Day activists focused on environmental degradation, economic justice, militarization and war.

“There are so many issues that contribute to violence against women all over the world. It has really taken off with popularity worldwide. We saw the president do a PSA on violence against women [during the Grammy Awards on Feb. 8]. Our main goal was originally to move the conversation from the margins to the mainstream. Fortunately, or unfortunately, we now see headlines on violence against women. This is a topic on the table and we intend to keep it there,” Horvath said.

Last year, One Billion Rising hosted a series of events in Los Angeles calling against the violence faced by women prisoners and soldiers. Jane Fonda, Anne Hathaway, Marisa Tomei, Dylan McDermott and other celebrities participated.

This year, Michael Bernard Beckwith, founder of Agape International Spiritual Center, and Wendy Silver, founder of Million Mamas Movement, and other special guests and performers will particpate.

One Billion Rising Revolution is calling for more creative and radical escalations for its advocacy for women and girls against physical violence, according to Horvath.

Although Women Against Gun Violence is not participating in this year’s One Billion Rising Revolution, gun violence is a factor in the overall violence against women, said Margot Bennett, executive director for Women Against Gun Violence.

“We know that in the U.S. if there’s a gun in the house, I think the number is five times more likely that the women will be killed. So if there’s domestic violence going on, there’s an increase of death,” Bennett said. “It’s pretty shocking. When women get guns to protect themselves, it doesn’t really save them. A gun in the home is dangerous. In instances of domestic violence, when there’s a gun in the home, it is counter to what people think.”

However, Women Against Gun Violence’s official position on gun ownership is closer to the reality that many Americans find it necessary to own a gun, Bennett said.

“Our statement to the issue of gun ownership is that if you feel that you have to have a gun, you have to store it safely and securely,” she said.

Peace Over Violence has been a partner with One Billion Rising Revolution and V-Day for the last three years. Peace Over Violence is a violence and abuse prevention center based in Los Angeles that provides resources, educates and aids prevention of sexual, domestic and intrapersonal violence.

“I think some of the main ways we can work to end violence against women is by creating equal status in our society and try to challenge the patriarchal society that we do live under currently,” said Jessie Corral, rape prevention education coordinator with Peace Over Violence. “We have to eliminate sexism, which is one of the root causes for violence against women. And we have to create equal opportunities for everyone in society, and that benefits all women.”

Peace Over Violence will be participating at Los Angeles City Hall on Feb. 14 at 3 p.m., which is one of the several different V-Day locations, by providing resources and letting people know ways that they can get involved with violence prevention.

Several other organizations are partnering with One Billion Rising this year, including Flash Mob America, Peace Over Violence, A New Way of Life, A Place Called Home, Million Mamas Movement and the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the U.S. National Committee for U.N. Women.

The timing for the event falls close to the 17th anniversary of V-Day, which is the international activist day to advocate against violence against women and girls. V-Day events seek to create discussion around issues of rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation and sex slavery.

The West Hollywood One Billion Rising Revolution will take place on Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Sal Guarriello Veteran’s Memorial, 8447 Santa Monica Blvd. For a complete list of events in Los Angeles County, visit www.onebillionrising.org.