This week girls across the country have been recreating the #EmpowerMoves TikTok dance. But what appears to be just another TikTok dance, is in fact a carefully choreographed sequence of basic self-defence actions, creating a movement through which girls can show their strength and support for a future that is safe, equal and empowered.
UN Women Australia’s #EmpowerMoves invites girls to celebrate International Day of the Girl by coming together on TikTok to show their voice in support of a strong and equal future for themselves.
The powerful dance sequence, personalised by girls around the country, has been echoed by celebrities, and people across the world. It brings together music of Australian singer-songwriter Wafia, the contagious movement of choreographer and entrepreneur Karla Mura, with the direction of She Fights Back, to create a series of basic self-defence movements.
UN Women Australia CEO Simone Clarke said “The challenges girls face are unrelenting, some we could have never imagined, but they are resilient and deserve to celebrate their strength. When the world is safe and equal for girls – we will dance for joy. Until then, girls can dance to be fierce, dance to be powerful, and dance to show their voice for the equality they deserve”.
Chief Creative Officer of The Monkeys, part of Accenture Interactive Tara Ford said “#EmpowerMoves is designed to be both uplifting and thought provoking. And while the combination of dance and self-defence is by no means a solution to the wider problem, it’s the beginning of an important cultural conversation for girls. A positive step towards not only personal confidence, but a greater awareness of the larger societal issues many girls and women face every day”.
#EmpowerMoves comes after UN Women Australia launched the campaign “When Will She Be Right?” in early 2021, asking Australians to agitate and accelerate progress on gender equality. Now, #EmpowerMoves gives Australian girls an opportunity to show support for that cause, through a platform and message that is relevant to them.
To find out more or support UN Women Australia, please visit unwomen.org.au. To support #EmpowerMoves, UN Women Australia encourages sharing using the tags #EmpowerMoves and #Dayofthegirl.
