KATHMANDU, Sept 20: Come February 14 the world will witness arguably the biggest movement to free the world´s women from violence and suppression.
“That 1 among three women on the planet is raped or beaten during her lifetime, the world will witness “one billion rising” (OBR), a social tsunami of women and their supporters to make the men stop, see, realize and accept the collective strength of the fairer sex,” said Kamla Bhasin, coordinator of OBR in South Asia at the national women commission on Thursday.
“On that day, women across the world will leave their offices, homes and daily routines behind to join the movement. They will dance in the streets, towns, villages and show their collective strength in such a way that the world will have to move with it,” she added.
According to Bhasin, millions of women uniting to give out the same message or warning will definitely capture global attention triggering significant changes in the polices, perceptions and practices. “There is no sponsorship as such for the campaign. All the local bodies and organizations would be joining hands and exploiting their strength for the huge cause.”
Initiated by a renowned playwright, actor and activist Eve Ensler and her organization Victory-day, one billion rising is a global campaign against violence against women and girls across the world. Interestingly, organizations and individuals from 160 countries have already signed up for the campaign so far.
This includes the prime minister´s office and 25 organizations from Nepal.
Speaking on the occasion, women right activist Sapana Malla Pradhan said that the reason behind choosing 14 February for the campaign is to mark the Valentine ´s Day as a day rather to love and respect women and simply say no to any form of violence against them.
Noticeably, the feminist movement had begun in the western world in late 18th century and the governments worldwide have shown commitment to gender balanced society since. However, the situation remains pathetic as the UN data states that 1 among 3 women on earth still faces severe form of violence.
“That is why we need a social tsunami to wipe out this violence. OBR is going to do this -- freeing woman from the “civil war” that is taking place in our own homes and communities,” said Bhasin.
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