“Ye behenon ka hai kehna, Hinsa humey aur nahin hai sehana” was the slogan that rented the air.
“We are here to remind everyone that the rising violence against women is not about statistics or stark numbers.
These are only the tip of the iceberg. The crux of the issue is how long will this situation be tolerated?” asked Kamla
Bhasin, a pioneer and long standing crusader on women’s rights. “Today is a day dedicated to making a commitment
to ‘Zero Tolerance against Violence against Women’ by making governments accountable and society responsive for
ending it’ she added.
The Minister for Women and Child Development, Delhi, Ms. Kiran Walia is extending solidarity by partnering with
the Women’s Collectives in flagging off this One Billion Rising Campaign.
With the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) 2011 indicating that the incidence of rape increased by 873 percent
between 1953 and 2011 or at a rate three times faster than all cognizable crimes put together, the Campaign jointly
launched by Jagori-Sangat-Jamia Outreach in partnership with a coalition of 25 organisations marked the event held
at Jamia Millia Islamia University today, by honouring the grit and determination of survivors of violence drawn
from women’s collectives from across over 30 settlements as far flung as Bawana in North West Delhi, Janata
Mazdoor Colony, Sunlight Colony in East, Dakshinpuri and Madanpur Khadar in the South to Nangal Raya in the
West. This includes groups representing women vendors from Janpath and Sarojini Nagar market, Dalit movement,
sexuality rights, disability rights, unorganized workers and religious minorities and frontline women’s organisations.
“Even as our hopes get kindled and we feel proud to lead this Campaign we realize that the silence is far from
broken” asserted Imrana, Bawana.
“Ye behenon ka hai kehna, Hinsa humey aur nahi hai sahana” was the slogan that rent the air. Well known singer
Vidya Shah enthralled the audience with her beautiful and moving renditions.
Not to be left behind, Vinod, 18, representing for the first time young boys and men, was emphatic that violence
against women “is as much our problem” and added that “I am rising so that girls can be secure”.
In her Keynote Address, Dr Syeda Hameed, Member Planning Commission said that we are not just battling with
silence but with indifference bordering on apathy. “Let the One Billion Rising Campaign resonate in those very
spaces which matter”, she reinforced
Representing the national Dalit women’s movement, Vimal Thorat said that violence faced by women is
compounded by being Dalit and experiencing caste-based discrimination. “It is time for us to put an end to the age
old exclusion” she affirmed.
Expressing her solidarity the human rights activist, Vrinda Grover brought to the fore the violence perpetrated by
security forces, extremists, casteist forces and neo-capitalists monopolizing natural resources and “unless all this is
resisted in toto the lives of women will not change,” she stressed
Rituparna Bora, sexuality rights activists returned to the basics and reminded everyone that “gender-based violence
does not only affect women but also ‘transpeople’ from hijras, transsexuals to cross-dressers and many other
vulnerable groups.” About the campaign
According to the United Nations, one in three women in the world experiences assault and violence in their lifetime.
One billion women worldwide.
In the South Asian region, across eight countries, more than 300 organisations are reaching out to people, eminent
citizens, youth and the public at large. In India, the One Billion Rising Campaign is picking up speed in more than 15
states. Women’s groups, civil society groups, men’s organisations and groups working on dalit, disability and
sexuality rights are all actively a part of this Campaign. They are mobilising to ensure that effective measures are
taken to prevent violence against women, ensure redress and justice to survivors of violence and support the
empowerment of women and girls.
The India launch of the One Billion Rising Campaign took place in Delhi at the Jamia Millia Islamia University on
November 24, 2012. Eminent women activists like Aruna Roy, from AIDWA, NFIW and others gathered to renew
their commitments to challenge violence against women and girls. A series of events, film festivals and community
mobilisation is taking place across the city. This launch is a lead-up to February 14th, 2013 where a billion people
will rise for the campaign across the globe.
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List of Organizations/ Groups/ Networks endorsing OBR-India:
Akshara, Asmita, Action India, Action Aid, Agribusiness Systems International, Asha Parivaar, Aalochna, Anveshi,
Astha Sansthan, Anhad, Anandi, Angaja Foundation, Azaad Foundation, AIDWA, AIDMAM, Anjali, Association
for Women with Disabilities, Blank Noise, Breakthrough, Centre for Health and Social Justice, Centre for Advocacy
and Research, CEVA Drama Repertory Company, Centre for Voluntary Organizations, Centre for Policy Analysis,
CEQUIN, CMAC, Community Youth Collective, CASP Plan, Darpana, Ekta, Ekal Mahila Sangathan, Ekal Nari
Shakti Sangathan, Empower People, Focus on Global South, Forum for Local Initiatives, Feminist Approach to
Technology, Gana Unnayan Parshad , Guild of Service, Global Gandhi Forum, Global Youth Network, International
Association of Women in Radio and Television, IGSSS, Institute of Social Work , IMSE, ICRW, Jagori, Jagori
Grameen, Jamia Outreach Programme, Jamia Millia University, Jeevika,, Joint Women’s Programme, KRITI,
Kolkata Rista, Lake Gardens Women and Children Development Centre, MKSS, Manushi, Men against violence
against women, MASUM, National Association of Women’s Organizations, Nidan, Nishtha, Must Bol, NAPM,
Nigarani Samiti- Bawana, National Confederation of Dalit Organizations, NFIW, North East Network, NASVI,
Olakh, OXFAM, PRADAN, Parichiti, Pravah, Plan, Penurimayee Iyyakkam Madurai, PWESCR, Population
Foundation of India, Pragati Manch, Robichhaya Natyajog, Sakha, Sakhi, SAHRWARU, Sahiyar, Swayam,
Samudaya, Samyak, Swati, Shruti disability rights, Samarthyam, South Kolkata Sannidhya, Saathi, Sutanutir Sakhya,
Sahyog, SNDT, South Asian Women’s Fund, Sutra, Shaktishalini, SNS, Seagull Foundation for the Arts, The
Hunger Project, The YP Foundation, Tamil Nadu Women’s Forum, TARSHI, Talash, University of Delhi, Vani,
Vacha, Vijeta Samooh, Vimochana & Secretariat of Asian Women’s Human Rights Coalition, Uthan, Women
Feature Services (WFS), Wada Na Todo Abhiyan, Women’s Collective, Women Against Sexual Violence and State
repression networks in India, YWCA and several individuals.
The event in Delhi organised by Jagori, Sangat and Jamia Outreach in partnership with over 65 organisations and
collectives was amazing and powerful. More than 700 women, men, young people radiated amazing energy and
commitments at the launch of One Billion Rising South Asia Campaign in Delhi at the Jamia Millia with feminist
leaders, eminent citizens, community women leaders, activists, mass based organisations across the spectrum, policy
makers, youth, students, and several more! Power to all! We are rising because we love life and celebrate our
movements across the globe!
For further details please contact:
Garima (Sangat): 98117.52333; Farah (CFAR) 95605.11667; Neetu (Jagori) 9891568002
Anupriya (Jagori) 9313848225
