EFFECT AND IMPACT THIS YEAR ’ S THEME HAD ON COMMUNITIES :
Much more LGBTQI + led Risings ●More inclusion of WORKER ’ S RISINGS ●Highest number of YOUTH RISINGS in 10 years ●More MEN joining Risings
INTERCONNECTEDNESS of other social justice movements under OBR , and highlighting violence against women in the context of Freedom from war , poverty , discrimination , displacement , occupation , suppression , discrimination , exploitation , exclusion
Strengthened INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY for the freedom from oppression from women in Iran , Afghanistan and others
The EXPANSION AND CONNECTION of the theme to the day-to-day struggles of the economic and health crisis
Created NEW SOLIDARITIES with other marginalized groups like disability groups , the elderly , refugees , internally displaced people ’ s
Enabled historically marginalized communities to envision what FREEDOM looks like , and to believe in it , where once it was very difficult to
Gave deeper , more contextualized UNDERSTANDING of what freedom means – economically , culturally , mentally , politically , spiritually , emotionally , physically
Connected the current challenges of women and of the world , to the HOPE for a future
ACTIVISTS AND COMMUNITIES embraced the Freedom theme because of the realization that while it is their right , it is constantly under threat
Gave people a DEEPER RESPONSIBILITY to defend it , and to do so in solidarity
RAISED THE CONSCIOUSNESS regarding economic freedom , financial freedom and the urgent need to rise to end poverty
RAISED THE CALL to allow women access to hold more political positions
Connecting the freedom theme to the freedom to OPENLY TALK about sexuality and women ’ s bodies
Highlighted the PERILOUS SITUATION most communities are in because of climate change , climate crisis and environmental destruction and how this directly relates to their freedom
Highlighted INTERGENERATIONAL ACTIVISM as key to freedom – with more knowledge and skills transfer between generations of activists taking place
Highlighted INTERSECTIONAL ACTIVISM also as crucial for freedom – the theme paved the way for more cooperation and collaboration between groups , of men and boys , bridging many gaps
CONNECTING the concept of “ freedom ” to community , shared lived realities , solidarity , responsibility , care , love , interconnectedness : “ how does your choice affect someone else ’ s freedom .”
FROM RADA BORIC ( OBR CROATIA AND OBR EUROPE REGIONAL COORDINATOR ): “ The continuation and persistence of the women ’ s struggle to defend their freedom and expend it ( and the freedom of others ), is here to stay . The theme of freedom resonated perfectly , since women face attacks on their freedom daily , concerning especially , their reproductive and sexual rights , and also the different restrictions on their freedom and creative potentials in all spheres of life .”