On January 26, OBR Bangladesh and Sangat Bangladesh hosted the One Billion Rising (OBR) 2025 launching concourse in front of the National Parliament Building, setting the stage for the global OBR Day on February 14, 12th anniversary of this powerful movement against violence against women, centred around the theme: “Rise for Freedom, Rise Against Fascism.”
The event commenced with the rhythmic beats of drums, followed by the reading of the OBR 2025 theme by feminist activist Tasafi Hossain. Inspiring speeches were delivered by Rekha Saha, Ilira Dewan, and Fauzia Khondkar Eva, who addressed pressing issues such as gender-based violence, misconceptions about feminism, fascism and systemic restrictions on women’s mobility and rights in the name of religion and social norms. They passionately called for collective action against patriarchy, fascism and oppression.
In a momentous announcement, Fauzia Khondkar Eva officially launched OBR 2025, unveiling two key upcoming events:
Representatives from 17 organizations, alongside activists, writers, and filmmakers, actively participated in the assembly, expressing their resistance through art, written messages, and collective solidarity. The event also saw enthusiastic participation from the general public, further amplifying the movement’s spirit.
As we now focus on preparing for the upcoming programs, we remain hopeful and committed to making OBR 2025 a success.