V-Day Annual Report 2017 - RISE FOR WOMEN WORKERS 1 | Page 66

EUROPE
Activists throughout Europe rose. In Italy, over 70
cities rose. In Germany, over 160. In Poland, over 70.
In Cyprus, activists rose against sexual exploitation,
violence, and rape, and for justice and services for
survivors and the ratification and implementation of the
Istanbul Convention. In Budapest, activists hosted a
wildly creative Anti-Exploitation Ball, where in addition to
music, slam poetry, and dance, attendees were invited to
the stage to speak out against all forms of exploitation.
Members of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) from
all over Europe mobilized and organized an OBR action
in person and online to raise awareness about sexual
exploitation and foster and demonstrate the solidarity
between women and between women’s organizations.
In the Balkans, activists focused on women’s workers’
unions, hosting risings from 14 February through 8 March,
International Women’s Day.