| #OurStoryIsOne reaches hundreds of millions worldwide | BIC GENEVA — In an extraordinary global response, the #OurStoryIsOne campaign has, in the few weeks since its launch, attracted unprecedented levels of support with a reach of several hundred million views on traditional and social media. The momentum has been augmented by an outpouring of statements from United Nations officials, high-level dignitaries, government figures, parliamentarians, Nobel Peace Laureates, artists, prominent individuals, members of the public, and prisoners of conscience in Iran.
The campaign's theme revolves around the concept of collective destiny, giving expression to calls for unity and asking all to see themselves as integral threads in the tapestry of a diverse but single, interconnected group. The powerful message of this year-long campaign is a shared aspiration for essential values and principles, in particular the realization of equality of women and men and a common vision for a prosperous future.
"Four decades ago, when the Iranian government brutally executed 10 women and girls in Shiraz, Iran, for their belief in the Bahá'í Faith, they thought they were erasing their names from history," says Simin Fahandej, the Bahá'í International Community (BIC) Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.
"Little did they know," she continues, "that their ruthless act would instead ignite a movement of unity decades later, making their names known worldwide as global symbols of commitment to the principle of equality, and millions not only in Iran but around the world coming to see these women's story as their own. The 'Our Story Is One' campaign is resonating with the deepest aspirations of populations around the world to turn to unity rather than division and to see the interconnectedness of our stories. This sends a strong message to the Iranian government that injustice and shedding innocent blood will not ultimately succeed."The BIC launched the one-year global #OurStoryIsOne campaign on 18 June in honor of the 40th anniversary of the execution of the 10 Bahá'í women in Shiraz, Iran, who were all hanged on one night for their beliefs. It dedicated the anniversary and the campaign to all Iranian women who, regardless of faith and background, have yearned for gender equality in the country and who continue to strive for justice.
The campaign called for artistic contributions, public statements, and commemorative events to honor the 10 Bahá'í women as well as all women in Iran. Contributions continue to pour in and are published daily on the campaign's Instagram page.The #OurStoryIsOne campaign has thus far reached some 250 million views in more than 33 languages. A two-hour social media event on 18 June trended in Iran as well as eight other countries across four continents, in Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The highlights of the campaign included a worldwide wave of events and commemorations in honor of the 10 and all women in Iran; an outpouring of artistic contributions from individuals around the world; public statements from notable figures; and media coverage and documentaries produced specially for the anniversary and the campaign.
More information about the contributions can be found in this BIC article. | | | | | Global event honors 10 Bahá'í women 40 years on | | | | | | National Congress honors 10 Bahá'í women at public hearing | | | | | | Campaign calls for voices of support on June 18 | | | Follow BWNS for regular updates | | Dear Edward Lorilla, you are receiving this email because you subscribed to the Bahá'í World News Service (BWNS) at news.bahai.org/subscribe/.
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