Date: 14 February
Original Story: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-14/india/37099060_1_women-organizations-street-vendors-north-east-network
NEW DELHI: People from all walks of life came together on Thursday to pledge their commitment to put an end to violence against women. A series of cultural events were held across the country as part of the global campaign which is being called #onebillionrising. The campaign was started by playwright and activist Eve Ensler (known for her play The Vagina Monologues) against all forms of “sexual abuse”. The word “billion”, say the organizers, refers to the one billion women who are survivors of abuse.
Women organizations, elected representatives, legal luminaries, actors, artists, NGOs and academic institutions apart from individuals participated in the day-long programme, its organizers said. The campaign was simultaneously held in 200 other countries.
In New Delhi, street plays, marches, flash mobs dancing and various other events were organized in places like Seemapuri, Badarpur, Madanpur, Khadar and Govindpuri in which women, men and youth from all walks of life came together to raise their voice against oppression and for justice to the fairer sex.
Several youth and women’s group also organized similar programmes at Dilli Haat, Miranda House College and Lady Shri Ram College in the morning which continued till evening.
A group of wheelchair-bound youths staged performances at seven Metro stations of the city during the day to raise awareness about the issue. They were accompanied by college youths sporting placards and banners demanding safe public places for women.
A large number of women street vendors under the banner of National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) also voiced their protest against increasing harassment of women on the city’s streets.
These scattered demonstrations throughout the day culminated into one large public gather in the evening at Parliament Street which featured a play followed by song and dance performances by students of Lady Shri Ram College, Miranda House and Kamala Nehru College.
The cultural event also saw street plays, dances, songs of freedom, skits and various performances by renowned musicians and bands. A number of women’s right activists addressed the gathering.
It concluded with a prayer meeting and lighting up of candles for a better and more safer society for women.
Mizoram’s capital Aizawl observed the ” One Billion Rising” protesting violence against women and children in its own unique way with music and songs.
In the function organized by People United for Music with a Purpose (PUMP), an organization of singers and musicians and Guwahati Social Media, the message of the event was propagated through music and songs.
