The University of Central Lancashire hasĀ held a rally in a demand to end violence against women.
AdvertisementThe rally took place on 14 February as part of the annual Global One Billion Rising for Justice campaign, which brings people together to stand, sing, and dance in a demand to end violence against women.
This event is the fourth year in a row that members of the local community gathered with staff and students at UCLan to join in the ‘Break the Chain’ dance at the same time as the other One Billion events going on around the world.
Related:Ā Ground broken as UCLanās new social spaces due to be finished by Autumn
UCLan’s Creative Communities Group (CCG) has organised the Preston event for participants to help make a stand against violence to women and children around the world.
Lynn Yates, Secretary of Preston’s Soroptimist International women’s group, said:
“We’re currently lobbying the government about funding cuts to domestic violence services so it’s fantastic to see UCLan organising this event and helping to raise awareness.”
Phil Parramore, Local businessman and community ambassador who attended the rally, said: “There are no excuses in this world for harassment, bullying and violence and we always need to find new and better ways to tackle these issues.
“It’s great to see people coming together today to make a stand; it’s a message that impacts all of us in different ways.”
This yearās One Billion Rising for Justice campaign focuses on the exploitation of women and girls, highlighting the shocking statistic that one in three women will be beaten or raped in their lifetimeĀ adding up to more than one billion women and girls worldwide.
Joanna Harrison, from Lancashire Care Foundation Trust Equality and Diversity team, added: “I’m here to show my own and the Trust’s support for the One Billion Rising campaign.
“It’s important that as many people as possible are made aware of it and the University is in a great position to do it.”
Russel Hogarth, UCLan Honorary Fellow and co-founder and chair of the UCLan CCG, said: “We are delighted as always with the support we receive from the University and the local community for this event.
“It’s extremely important in the world that we live in to raise awareness and create a space where women’s voices are heard and listened to.
“I’d like to thank my CCG colleague Nigel Farnworth for helping to organise the event, Fraser from PR1 Media for filming it for us and Phil and Sandra from Salsa North West for leading us in the dance – It was a great team effort.”
You can find out about the One Billion Rising movement on their websiteĀ and information on the UCLan Creative Communities Group can be found viaĀ the online page.
Have you visited UCLan recently? Did you join in with the UCLan rally event? Let us know in the comments below