Dancing and Rising for Justice in Southeast Asia · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

The ‘One Billion Rising’ campaign was supported by many groups and individuals in the Southeast Asian region. This year, the theme was broadened to include the call for justice aside from the particular demand to end violence against women.
Filipino activists hold a ‘One Billion Rising’ dance protest near the Philippine presidential palace to push for greater subsidy to social services.
In Cambodia, the violence inflicted on striking garment workers was highlighted during the preparation of the event:
…there have been crackdowns and violence on garment factory workers who demonstrated for better working conditions which resulted in many (casualties). Other female land rights activists had also been savagely beaten, arrested and detained without investigation. Reparations have never been made for the victims and until (today) the perpetrators have not been brought to justice
But the biking activity on February 14 was blocked by the police since it was seen as a threat to peace and order.
Cambodia's bike event was blocked by the police
In Indonesia, ‘One Billion Rising’ activities were held in seven cities across the country.
The ‘One Billion Rising’ dance was performed in seven cities in Indonesia
‘Rise for Justice’ in Indonesia
Members of the Women in Hai Hau in Nam Dinh province, Vietnam led a practice session for the ‘One Billion Rising’ dance event. Below is a video of their rehearsal:
In Thailand, students of Chiang Mai University supported the ‘One Billion Rising’ campaign. Below is a video of their practice session:
Another ‘One Billion Rising’ photo in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Image from Facebook page of Lisa Kerry
In the Philippines, the women’s group Gabriela coordinated the ‘One Billion Rising’ campaign and they were able to mobilize thousands of women in various parts of the country. Joms Salvador, secretary general of Gabriela, explained the importance of the campaign to eliminate all forms of violence against women:
Sometimes, because of the impunity of poverty, human rights violations, violence against women and children, people tend to be desensitized. We need to realize that such situations must not be the norm and that these have to change. We need to act collectively and make our call for justice stronger because things could only get worse when we keep silent and just watch idly by.
In the city Davao located in the southern part of the country, the issue of corruption was underscored in the fight for meaningful justice:
With the state of the country marred by corruption especially with the anomalous use of the public funds, then all taxpayers should be with us in dancing to call for justice
‘Justice’ is the theme of this year's ‘One Billion Rising’
‘Rise, Release, Dance’ activity in Davao City, located in the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines
‘Justice for typhoon Haiyan victims’ is one of the demands of the campaign
Workers called for a wage hike as part of the campaign for social justice