One Billion Rising global coordinators, organizers and activists have launched their OBR 2018 campaigns during the 16 Days of Activism in November – highlighting 25 November – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to announce their local campaigns. These OBR launches begin local and regional OBR Solidarity campaigns all over the world – in preparation and as lead up to major Rising events on 14 February 2018. Alongside the OBR 2018 theme of Solidarity, each country will Rise, Resist and Unite for particular violence against women issues highlighted below:
OBR INDIA:
Himachal Pradesh
From Abha Bhaiya and Jagori Grameen (OBR India national coordinators)
4 November 2017
Launching of OBR 2018-
Karvan-E-Mohabbat is an ongoing caravan initiated by Jagori Grameen which walks within and between villages in Himachal Pradesh. The caravan speaks out a message of love in the face of hate politics, as these only generate more violence and which of course bring more violence against women. The caravan began walking through around 20 villages in Dharamshala block making their way to Kangra block, each time gathering forces and showing solidarity to each others’ struggles and stories.
Dharamshala
25 November 2017
On the night of 25th November 2017, the streets of Dharamshala were taken by close to a thousand youngsters: mostly girls, some boys joining in, for a Night Walk. This walk was organized by Jagori Grameen under the banner of the international campaign of One Billion Rising, and went from Kotwali Bazar to Lion’s club. The night continued with performances, intimate sharings and speeches by visitors from Delhi and also the Tibetan women’s community. The girls spent an entire night out, to reclaim the fear that girls are taught to have of the night, and to celebrate this day, which was the day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
Chennai
From Burnad Fathima Natesan
(Organized by Tamil Nadu Women’s Forum/ Tamil Nady Dalit Women/ & Other Women’s Movements in Tamil Nadu)
30 November 2018
Women’s groups met on 30 November at Chennai, South Asian Women’s Day and Launched OBR 2018 – One Billion Rising to Rise – Resist- Unite. Issues such as Majoritarianism in the Region Communal Politics, Common property in the hands of women, Kanthuvatti (usury Interest), Inappropriate education system leading to students suicide, non access to higher education for Dalit and Tribal girls, Violence Against Women, Urban eviction, Nurses strike for just wage, Impact of WTO and RCEP, Women’s educational rights, Violation of the rights of minorities, Solidarity with farmers movement demanding fair price for the produce and Debt cancellation. All the women participants lit candles and to challenge manifold forms of Violence Against Women. Their OBR launch focused on PEACE, JUSTICE & HUMAN RIGHTS.
Odisha
From Kamla Bhasin (OBR South Asia regional coordinator) and Sangat Feminist Network
25 November 2017
Nawo Odisha’s launch of 16 Days of Activism and OBR Odisha 2018 was held last 25 November. With 550 people including college students and individuals from civil society organizations in attendance, the event included dances, a play on women’s mobility by theater activist Maya Krishna Rao, a speech on raising boys well and a performance by transgender group Sampoorna among others. It was an event filled with Dance, Drama, Walk, Play, Ramp Show and Speeches for the Launching of One Billion Rising Campaign to End Violence Against Women 2018.
OBR BANGLADESH
Dhaka
From Khushi Kabir (OBR Bangladesh coordinator)
18 November 2017
#OneBillionRising – The public launch of One Billion Rising Bangladesh 2018 ‘s event was a Public Hearing on Women Migrant Workers. This included live testimonies from returnee workers and families of those that could not return; an expert panel of researchers & activists who gave their findings based on the testimonies and experiences; a panel comprised of Bangladesh’s most senior and experienced retired judges and Activists gave their recommendations for future actions and remedies. Venue: New premises of Liberation War Museum (Muktijudhho Jadughar) Auditorium, Agargaon. Date: 18 November, 2017.
South Asia Women’s Day
30 November 2017
South Asian Women’s Day on November 30 saw OBR Bangladesh express their solidarity against exploitation of women with an event full of songs, poetry and the sharing of ideas.
OBR PHILIPPINES
Manila
From Gabriela National Alliance of Women (OBR Philippines coordinators)
25 November 2017
Rise, Resist, Unite against Tyranny and Fascism!
OBR Philippines 2018 launched last November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (IDEVAW) and National Consciousness Day to End Violence Against Women and Children (NCDEVAWC).
GABRIELA, Gabriela Women’s Party, Task Force One Billion Rising, New Voice Company and Save Our Schools Network launched One Billion Rising 2018 as a new anti-violence campaign under growing fascism, tyranny and global neoliberal crisis!
Rise, Resist, Unite! One Billion Rising 2018
In the Philippines, OBR 2018 is highlighting the menace of dictatorship and martial law that leads to increased sexual assaults and human rights violations of women and children in Mindanao and all over the country. Leading the launch were the Lumad (Indigenous peoples) youth who sought refuge in Manila to oppose military attacks on communities.
Venue: Department of Education National Office, Pasig City
Date and Time: 25 November, 10:00 am
Davao
27 November 2017
OBR Davao had two launches on the same day, 27 November. The first one took place at the Rizal Memorial Colleges – with a Youth Rising of over 2,000 students. The second took place at the Rizal Park with multi-sectoral engagement (Lumad, workers, teachers, youth, women’s grassroots organizations, former sex workers, V-men) – to Rise in Solidarity with the most exploited sectors, to demand an end to all forms of violence against women – political, social and economic. The OBR 2018 launch was organized by Gabriela Southern Mindanao and Gabriela Davao, Gabriela Women’s Party (Southern Mindanao) and OBR Davao task force groups.
OBR TAIWAN
Taipei
From Chi Hui Jung (OBR Taiwan and North East Asia coordinator)
25 November 2017
Taiwan’s annual OBR launch was the V-men run on 25 November in the north city district of Riverside Park. The day marked both the OBR launch, as well as to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. In Tandem with the OBR global campaign launch, and the local implementation of gender justice through the event, nearly 2,000 runners, volunteers and staff were not afraid of the wet rainy weather – running to end violence against women and girls.
OBR HONG KONG
Hong Kong
From Dolores Pelaez (Unifil/ MIgrante HK – part of OBR Hong Kong task force group/ OBR HK organizers)
Migrants and locals dance one billion rising to stop discrimination and violence against migrant domestic workers and LGBT – and Rising to lift the deployment ban on all OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers)
OBR SWAZILAND
Manzini
From Colani Hlatjwako (OBR Swaziland/ OBR Africa regional coordinator)
Highlights of the Swaziland One Billion Rising Revolution 2018 Launch includes the theme: “Swaziland Rising In Soliderity: Unite to end Violence Against Women and Girls: Inyandzaleyo!!!” The different Media Houses, Civil Society Organizations, The Gender and Family Issues Department under the Deputy Prime Ministers Office, Artists, women and men committed to escalate the rising in 2018. Everyone agreed that “there can be no Revolution without Solidarity”. Another OBR launch Event was held on the street as they commemorated Street Vendors day on 14 November 2017. #RISE! RESIST! UNITE! #OneBillionRising #RisingForPeace #RisingAgainstViolence #RisingForEqualParticipation #RisingForEmpowermentForWomen #RisingAgainstTheKillingOfWomen
OBR CONGO LAUNCH
Bukavu
From Christine Schuler Deschryver (OBR Congo coordinator/ V-Day Congo and City of Joy Director)
24 November 2017
Rising to demand and end to forced slavery in Libya! Rising in Solidarity!
OBR MALAWI
From Alice Kachere (OBR Malawi coordinator)
28 November 2017
One Billion Rising Malawi launched OBR 2018 and also commemorated 16 days of activism against violence to women and girls . Malawi is rising against child marriage. Take action,Hands off our kids,girls are not brides!
OBR GUATEMALA
From Marsha Lopez (OBR Guatemala coordinator)
November 24, 2017
Un Billón de Pie in the municipality of villa
Channels, thanks to the Asociación Educar, Salud y Justicia
OBR Villa Canales is in cooperation with the Organization of Education, Justice and Health for Women. OBR Guatemala annually give scholarships to 30 women and their families to empower them.
November 25, 2017
A special OBR activity was held at the closing of a Zumbaton, participated in by grassroots women in Guatemala. Participants talked about the importance of women empowerment as they launched OBR 2018.
OBR ITALY
Milan
By Nicoletta Billi, Silvia Palermo and Anna Vezzoli (OBR Italy coordinators)
25 November 2017
On Saturday, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the City of Joy documentary was shown in Milan, in collaboration with WeWorld Onlus and Corriere Della Sera. Directed by Madeleine Gavin, City of Joy tells the story of Congolese women in a center founded in Congo by Eve Ensler, along with activist Christine Schuler-Deschryver and Dr. Denis Mukwege.
During the 20 years of war in the Congo, women have suffered terrible violence. The documentary tells the path these women take to restore their lives and transform physical and mental devastation into powerful forms of empowerment for their country. OBR Italy activists dedicated the film showing to One Billion Rising 2018 Solidarity!
Frosinone
18 November 2017
Various associations for girls, boys, teachers and school leaders and all those in the province of Frosinone participated in the flash MOB #1 billionrising to say no to violence on women. Organized by il Mosaico Associazione who have been a major OBR Italia organizer for several years. They have been working for years to affirm the culture of respect and love especially among the very young!
OBR Croatia
Zagreb
From Rada Boric (OBR Europe regional coordinator)
25 November 2017
OBR Croatia launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The focus of their rising is to demand the ratification of the Geneva Convention in Croatia.
Why ratify the Geneva Convention in Croatia?
According to the convention, “violence against women is considered to be a violation of human rights and form of discrimination against women and marks all acts of gender-based violence that have consequences or will likely result in physical, sexual, mental or economic damage or suffering of women, including threats of such acts, or deliberately taking liberties, whether they appear in public or private life. All forms of violence against women and domestic violence.”
OBR Croatia is Rising for the convention to be ratified to stop human rights violations!
