In the first week of January, several Risings were held in Gwalior, India against violence against women (VAW). Kamla Bhasin was present at these Risings. Savitri Bai Phule’s birth anniversary was celebrated on 3rd January as Indian Women’s Day. Over two hundred students and teachers attended Kamla Bhasin’s talk on gender, patriarchy, masculinity, VAW and OBR at ITM University. Another program was organised at the Jiwaji University, where Kamla Bhasin spoke to an engaged audience. A street play was also held on issues of feminism and patriarchy.
On 6th January, Kamla Bhasin engaged with students from Miranda House, Kamala Nehru College, Agrasen College of Delhi University and Wisconsin University, USA on transnational feminism in South Asia and OBR.
On 11th January, Kamla Bhasin engaged students of the Department of Elementary Education, Miranda House, India for three hours to discuss gender, patriarchy, masculinity, feminism and OBR. 
Monks on Bulls Rose for gender equality as part of Mittika’s DOR (Dialogue, Organize, Reclaim!) campaign on 15th January in Delhi, India. A bike rally along with a meaningful discussion on gender equality and gender biases was held. Before organizing the event, the administrators were trained by Mittika. This was not just a “Cause Ride” where riders ride from a point A to B; there was an extremely fruitful discussion on gender equality and gender biases as well. This was also fuelled by a need to change the perceptions about the biking fraternity, as there are many misconceptions and biases about bikers.
On 19th January, violence and hatred were challenged through music, through an evening organized by One Billion Rising and Ek Saath. For three hours, Dhwani, Sonam Kalra, Shabnam Virmani, and Parvathy Baul mesmerized with their music and messages of love, equality, and peace. The evening ended with everyone’s hearts full of joy and hope, hope that a world free of hatred and violence against women and girls is possible. More than 450 people joined this program, held at the Stein Auditorium at the India Habitat Centre in Delhi, India.
On 28th January, Srijanatmak Manushi Sanstha (SMS) Rose to end violence against women. SMS has been fighting against violence and for equal opportunities for marginalised groups in Delhi, India. SMS conducted their campaign in Patparganj, Delhi and raised awareness about violence against women, children, the differently abled, and the environment through song, music, dance and their stalls. In their songs, they are saying, we have as much right to the sun and the moon as others. We continue our struggles for justice and love.
On the 2nd February, the Shivaji College of Delhi University, Delhi, India celebrated its first day of a two-day Gender Fair, held in partnership with One Billion Rising and others. Kamla Bhasin was invited as chief guest to this fair, and spoke to several hundred students and teachers about gender equality, violence against women and girls, masculinity, and One Billion Rising. The Gender Fair also saw the participation of many OBR partners, including Manas Foundation, Azad Foundation, CFAR, Centre for Health and Social Justice, Asmita Theatre and others. Kamla Bhasin also moderated an excellent panel discussion on ‘Gender Identity: Myth or Reality’, which hosted a series of panelists, including a police officer, writer, professor, transgender advocate for transgender rights, and activist who has been working on masculinity and engaging men for gender equality for over a decade. The panel discussion was rich and vibrant, and the engagement of the students was very meaningful. The fair also honored a number of women who are working at grassroot levels on issues of gender equality, including a number of Sangat’s friends as well as Sangat Core Group Member Rukmini Rao. 
Miranda House, Delhi, India rose on 2nd February with their annual campus rising. They conducted a rally, street play and flash mob along with slogans in North Campus, New Delhi. This year, they also screened a documentary by the Asian Floor Wage Alliance which explores the lives of women workers in garment factories and the issues they face including sexual harassment, low wages, no social security, unsafe workplace, and others.
The School of Open Learning (SOL), Delhi University, India has been Rising with the Delhi Police to train more than 500 girls in self defense at three centres throughout Delhi. More than 3,500 girls have registered for this program. On 2nd February, the first training was held and the girls were oriented about One Billion Rising. Along with the self defense training, School of Open Learning also organised activities like lectures and interactive sessions to sensitize students on gender issues. OBR partners in Delhi like Miranda House and Bud Foundation also partnered with SOL and interacted with students on 3rd February.
On 3rd February, Shivaji College, Sangat and Society for Labour and Development rose to discuss the rights of women workers. Five women who are workers at various garment factories in the NCR region were present to share their experiences with the more than 200 students who were present at the gathering. The women spoke of issues of sexual harassment in the workplace, the absence of social security, no workplace safety, low wages and others and urged students to think about where their clothes come from and at what cost.
Joint Women’s Programme had an interactive session on violence against women and children and right to public spaces with community women and children. Former panchayat leaders and mahila morcha members spoke to the women and children on the right to go out, be safe, speak up, and on child sexual abuse in Nithari, New Delhi, India. There were also sessions in which they discussed their voting rights and being responsible about choosing their leaders. The community women also rose by reading and singing feminist poems and songs by OBR partners ‘Majma and Swaang’. There were also some experiences about domestic violence that were shared.
On 5th February, Delhi rose to end violence against women and girls and challenge the systems and structures that perpetuate and sustain this violence. From 12:30 pm to 8 pm, more than 50 organisations, colleges, and individuals danced, sang, acted, shouted slogans, and otherwise engaged an audience of thousands of people on a range of issues including caste-based violence, domestic violence, harassment in the workplace and other spaces, capitalist patriarchy, the cosmetic industry, and many others. Domestic workers, garment factory workers, and sex workers spoke about their struggles and activism. The vast majority of the 7,000 strong audience was uninitiated to these issues, and this was a meaningful way to begin this dialogue. 
Manas Foundation has been rising regularly with cab drivers and auto drivers throughout Delhi, India. In addition to giving gender sensitization trainings to more than 200,000 drivers, they have decorated more than 3,000 autos with OBR ribbons and introduced messaging about OBR and violence against women in these autos.
Twenty-two organizations, collectives and groups in Dwarka, India came together on 12th February to hold a beautiful program celebrating equality and calling for an end to violence against and exploitation of women and girls. Around 300 men, women, girls and boys participated in the event. There was dancing, music and a street play. Anhad Delhi was one of the main organizers of the event.
On 12th February, Point of View, an organisation that works on sexuality and disability in Mumbai, India rose against violence. The aim of the programme was to celebrate diverse bodies and freedom from exploitation. The event included performances by Bollywood choreographer Sandip Sopparkar and actor Sharbani Mukherji, a spoken word performance by Aishwarya Kamat, a dance by wheelchair users of Tarai Foundation, a skit by the folks from SNEHA and more. At the end of the hour-long diverse performances, the floor was opened for an inclusive dance for the entire audience. The issues addressed included mental illness, physical disability, violence and gender discrimination. 
YWCA of Delhi in collaboration with National Law University, Delhi organized an OBR event at the National Law University, Delhi, India on 14th February 2017. Approximately 150 students and representatives of NGOs participated in the event. The proceedings began with a welcome address by the convenor Prof. (Dr.) Prasannanshu, Professor, NLUD and were followed by a performance of the OBR song as well as a dance by the vocational students from RDP–YWCA of Delhi depicting the need for solidarity against exploitation of women. This was followed by an introduction about OBR given by Ms. Neera Arora, HOD – RDP. The Chief Guest of the event was Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor. A street play titled “Mahilao ka Sangharsh” was performed by the vocational students from RDP – YWCA of Delhi, depicting the many struggles suffered by women at the hands of a patriarchal society.
On 14th February, a Rising was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh through a musical event at Rabindra Sharabar in Dhamnondi. There were many different musical artists who performed. There were also many other performances including feminist monologues, mime, fire spinning, a break the chain flashmob, and others. All performances were linked to rising against violence against women. More than 500 people were present. 
The Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh rose against violence against women and children on 14th February 2017. Supporting People and Rebuilding Communities (SPaRC) organised the first ever OBR flash mob in CHT, aiming to express solidarity with the global movement One Billion Rising and vowing to work together with empathy with VAW and GBV survivors. Many indigenous people from the area attended the event and a flash mob was performed by the Moanoghar School on the theme of exploitation of women.
The Loretto School, Kolkata and Mary Ward Society rose with Kamla Bhasin against violence against women and girls on 14th February in Kolkata, India. They organised a large programme in a public park in Kolkata. This hour long celebration of love and creativity was attended by about 5,000 people. The morning started with Kamla Bhasin speaking to the students and teachers of Loretto College. The amazing event was organised by Sangat core group member and alumna Sabrina Edwards.
Risings took place in Kathmandu, Nepal with amazing energy. A panel, two rallies, and four flash mobs were organised in Kathmandu on 14th February. There was a panel discussion titled “Are women not empowered: an intergenerational experience” at Tewa. Participants then proceeded to an OBR march against violence against women, where approximately 1,000 activists marched. The march culminated in a flash mob. There were also two other rallies and flash mobs organised in 4 places, with over 450 activists and 75 dancers in each of the places.
Various organisations came together in Gwalior, India to rise against violence against women on the 14th February. A women’s conference was held with more than 1,000 women attending. The issues discussed were violence against women and violence against children. Many persons spoke on issues of gender and violence. There were also songs, a street play and a flash mob. One of our alumna, Suresh Tomar, has been spearheading these risings.
Around 28 organisations came together to hold a huge rising in Kolakata, India on 14th February. A car rally and a programme in a college was collectively organised by these groups. Swayam and Azad Foundation decorated more than 10 cars with messages of OBR and against VAW and the cars drove through Kolkata and stopped at Bishops College where a huge rising was organised with songs, talks, music and dances. Kamla Bhasin, coordinator of One Billion Rising South Asia who was present in the program and spoke of the need to show solidarity with Naga women who were fighting a battle for 33% reservation in their local elections.
Odisha, India celebrated the One Billion Rising campaign against violence against women and showed solidarity against VAW through dance, song and a street play at the Master Canteen square Bhubaneswar on 14th February. More than 100 people were present for this programme.
A programme titled ‘Shaam-e-Sufiyana’ was organised at the State Museum on 14th February under the aegis of ‘Dhai Akhar Sandharbha Kendra, Bhopal’ in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. It was a cultural fest on syncretic traditions, love, tolerance and Sufi. Over 500 people attended. Renowned Sufi singer Dhruv Sangri performed in the event. Prior to the Sufi performance the evening began with a dialogue on democracy by Sarika Sinha and Yogesh Diwan from Dhai Akhar resource centre. Later, it was followed with a symposium on the Notion of Democracy by retired IAS and Advisor to SC and RTF Secretariat Harsh Mander.
A programme titled ‘Shaam-e-Sufiyana’ was organised at the State Museum on 14th February under the aegis of ‘Dhai Akhar Sandharbha Kendra, Bhopal’ in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. It was a cultural fest on syncretic traditions, love, tolerance and Sufi. Over 500 people attended. Renowned Sufi singer Dhruv Sangri performed in the event. Prior to the Sufi performance the evening began with a dialogue on democracy by Sarika Sinha and Yogesh Diwan from Dhai Akhar resource centre. Later, it was followed with a symposium on the Notion of Democracy by retired IAS and Advisor to SC and RTF Secretariat Harsh Mander.
On the 12th, 13th, and 14th February, artists from different parts of Sri Lanka came together to organize an exhibition in Mullaithivu as part of One Billion Rising in Sri Lanka. This program was spearheaded by Vasuki Jeyashankar. The activities included collective art making and discussions around the theme of building violence-free lives. In addition to this exhibition, there was a small initiative in Batticaloa, where there was an OBR-awareness creation session with 20 young men and women which included discussions on the issues of violence and singing songs. These discussions will continue every week now!
One Billion Rising was celebrated in Islamabad, Pakistan on 14th February 2017. IFT, Rozan and WRN organized the Rising. Students, CSO members, and women’s rights activists from across Pakistan (Quetta, Peshawar, GB, Ajk) were present. Around 120 persons participated in the event. Kishwar Sultana and Rakhshanda spoke about the OBR theme, the struggles faced by women in Pakistan, and others. There was music and dance to celebrate.
On 14th February, around 400 Risers rose in a square in Kabul, Afghanistan. The event started with a group of school girls reading a poem by Simin Bahbahani about women and distribution of colored umbrellas among participants. An explanation of the overall goal of the campaign and the importance of people’s participation in the struggle for elimination of violence against women was shared. Then, a play was performed on violence against women in Afghan society. This was followed by a rap song by two young boys about the kinds of violations that Afghan girls face and a call to the boys in the audience to check their own behavior and privilege. After this, the audience took a resolution to work on the issue of violence against women and to help to eliminate violence against women in all areas. Ahead of the event, a group of mainly women bicyclists cycled a distance of four to five kilometers wearing orange scarves. Riding a bicycle is considered to be something only men do in Afghanistan.
On the 15th February, another Rising was organised in the Afghanistan Independent Human Right’s Commission’s conference hall in Bamyan Province. Around 400 men and women from NGOs, government institutions, and others participated in the event. This event was conducted by Gawharshad Institute and its partner Shuhada Organization in Bamyan. The event saw many experts talk on issues of violence, women’s rights, women’s property rights, and others. After the speeches, girls and boys from the Samer Orphanage sang a song and performed a play about the injustices that women face.
Afghanistan Independent Human Right’s Commission’s conference hall in Bamyan Province. Around 400 men and women from NGOs, government institutions, and others participated in the event. This event was conducted by Gawharshad Institute and its partner Shuhada Organization in Bamyan. The event saw many experts talk on issues of violence, women’s rights, women’s property rights, and others. After the speeches, girls and boys from the Samer Orphanage sang a song and performed a play about the injustices that women face.
This year, many cities in Maldives rose against violence against women. In Male’ city, a Rising was held on 17th February 2017. The event began with a bicycle ride on the streets of Male’ followed by a stage show at Social Center. The stage show included performances by 3 women singers from the Maldives Music and Arts Center and releasing of a song on promoting positive masculinity traits developed by Hope for Women. The stage show also included a performance by the first and only women’s Boduberu group in the Maldives. In additional to this, the OBR dance was also performed at the event and a hand printing activity to show support for ending violence against women was conducted. During the event, pamphlets were also distributed to visitors.
A series of awareness-raising sessions on violence against women and domestic violence were conducted for service providers and the public in Addu city. The event was held on 16th and 17th February 2017. A public event was also held in Kulhudufushi on 17th February 2017, which included hand printing to pledge to end violence against women, Boduberu performances and speeches by heads of local service providers such as the Family and Children Service Center and the HDh. Atoll Regional Hospital. In addition to that, speeches were given at schools in the island. A public event was held in Ga. Villingili on the 17th February 2017 with participation from local stakeholders. Activities in included a rally to end violence against women, the OBR dance, speeches by local stakeholders and hand printing to pledge to end violence against women. A rising in event in R. Angolhitheemu was also held on the 17th February 2017. Activities included a family evening to create awareness on violence against women. Through the Ministry of Gender and Family, who coordinated with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Hope for Women was able to include the issue of violence against women in the Friday sermon held on 17 February 2017. The sermon was read in all islands where the Friday prayers were held.
Kamla Bhasin engaged students and professors of Kirori Mal College, Delhi University, India in a dialogue on the topic of ‘Feminism and Patriarchy’ as a part of the OBR campaign on the 27th February. This dialogue was organized by Sahas, the Women’s Empowerment Cell of the National Service Scheme. The session was grounded in the concerns and inquiries of the students. Topics discussed included Dalit feminism, consumerism and capitalist patriarchy, Bollywood’s ‘item numbers’, personal experiences of injustices, patriarchal festivals, the women’s reservation bill, and many others. 
The Afghan Women’s Network, in coordination with its NGO members and other civil society organizations, joins the One Billion Rising campaign each year and conducts advocacy on violence against women. This year, in coordination with 20 other CSOs, AWN announced solidarity against exploitation of women. These organisations came together under AWN to confer on these subjects under the mantle of One Billion Rising. They have also put together a list of demands related to violence against women. These will be found on their website.
For additional events held in India, please review the OBR Indian Newsletter which can be found here: http://onebillionrisingsouthasia.weebly.com/uploads/7/5/6/3/75630261/january_-_newsletter.pdf.
February has come to an end, but OBR energy is at an all-time high for us Risers! We have many more events planned in India, the Maldives, and other countries in March!
Do continue to share your updates, news, photos, comments and views with us!
