Bengaluru: Hundreds of people across Bengaluru joined ‘One Billion Rising Revolution’ 2017, a global movement to end violence against women.
“One Billion Rising has been happening since 2012 across the globe, and this year, given the spirit of resistance that Bangalore citizens have shown after the sexual assault that happened during the New Year, we felt it was so important to go to different communities to discuss these issues. Today is about celebration and resistance,” said Corinne Kumar, of Vimochana, one of the organising groups of the Bangalore One Billion Rising.
The day started with events and community actions in Nayandahalli, Bhoopasandra and JeevanBhima Nagar, focused on sharing around various women-related schemes, discussion on public spaces, and a series of performances. This community based and led events brought together over 300 women, and allowed them an opportunity to discuss and hear about a range of different issues relevant to their lives.
Christy Raj, a transman and organizer from Sangama said, “Today in Bhoopasandra, the highlight was raising awareness about government schemes and provisions for women and girls, and also on how to avail them. I believe it’s important to be part of this movement against gender-based violence”.
From 3 pm, citizens from across Bangalore came together at Cubbon Park, to share stories of resistance, through experience narration, poetry readings, dance, music and other forms of artistic expression.
“Today we have come out, from all walks of life, to celebrate and mark our resistance. We stand today also in solidarity with Irom Sharmila, as she ended her 16-year fast to repeal AFSPA in India, Nadia Murad’s effort to free more than 5,000 Yazidi women taken captive by ISIL and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe as it protests against the Dakota Access pipeline in North and South Dakota and other parts of USA.”, said Pushpa Achanta, an organiser.
The event was organized by Swaraj Network, GATWU (Garment and Textile Workers Union), Amnesty India, Alternative Law Forum, Radio Active, Aapa Ki Aadalat, Sangama, Visthar, Aneka, Forward Trust, Indian Social Institute, Swaraj Abhiyan, Blank Noise, Karnataka Sex Workers Union, AASRA, Mahila Samakhya, KHPT, Mahila Dakshata Samiti, SICHREM, Samvada, Sadhana Mahila Sangha, Solidarity Foundation, college students, concerned individuals, #IWillGoOut (national network) and Vimochana.
