Dance demo in the North - can a flash mob make a difference? - Northern Germany rises in dance to protest violence against women and girls

This Saturday, cities across northern Germany will join a global protest against violence toward women and girls. The demonstrations, part of the One Billion Rising movement, mark its ninth year of action. In Rostock, around 50 dancers—mostly women—will perform a choreographed flash mob in the pedestrian zone to raise awareness and demand change.

The One Billion Rising campaign began in 2012, founded by U.S. artist and feminist Eve Ensler. Each year on Valentine's Day, flash mobs take place worldwide to highlight violence against women and push for better prevention. This year, around 30 locations in northern Germany will participate in the coordinated protests.

In Rostock, Kati Voss, a youth and child counsellor, has led dance workshops to prepare participants. The four-and-a-half-minute routine aims to draw attention to the issue in a public space. The event aligns with broader efforts, as studies show only three percent of sexual assaults against women in Germany are reported to authorities.

Experts point to the role of emotions in driving social change. Greta Groß of the Berlin Social Science Center notes that frustration and anger often fuel demands for reform. Social media has also become a key tool for activism, according to media studies professor Astrid Deuber-Mankowsky. Movements like #MeToo demonstrate how online campaigns can unite people globally.

The German government has taken steps to address the issue, including increasing funding for counselling centres to €200 million annually since 2023. Other measures include a national victim protection plan introduced this year, expanded prevention programmes in schools, and updates to the Violence Protection Act in 2023.

The protests on Saturday will join a long-standing global effort to combat violence and improve support for survivors. With increased funding, legal reforms, and public awareness campaigns, organisers hope to see stronger prevention and greater reporting of crimes. The demonstrations serve as a visible reminder of the ongoing fight for change.