One Billion Rising 2026 launched globally in late November, coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism and continuing through December with the theme: RISE FOR OUR BODIES, OUR EARTH, OUR FUTURE.
Announced on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the 2026 theme is an invitation to survivors, artists, and activists everywhere to rise together and imagine a future free from violence, patriarchy, exploitation, and destruction.
One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women (cisgender, transgender, and those who hold fluid identities that are subject to gender-based violence) in human history. One Billion Rising has become a movement of yearly radical artistic risings around the world to confront all oppressive systems that intersect with gender-based violence, including patriarchy, imperialism, capitalism, colonialism, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia, war, and violence to the Earth.
187 launch events, up from 125 last year, have taken place across 27 countries, led by a global network of coordinators, grassroots activists, survivors, and artists. Highlights include India with 95 launches, the Philippines with 30 launches, and Eswatini with nine launches. Countries that have held launch events include Austria, Cambodia, Croatia, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Australia and Taiwan alongside an Africa-wide online event featuring participation from activist leaders from Cameroon, Eswatini, Gabon, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In the United States, activists will gather on 14 January for a virtual launch and planning event.
One Billion Rising Bangladesh was launched on 30 November at Rabindra Shorobor, coinciding with South Asian Women’s Day and forming an important part of the 16 Days of Activism. Under the theme “Rise for Our Bodies, Our Earth, Our Future,” the campaign poem was translated into Bangla and launched through an open program of dance, music, drama, and poetry reflecting women’s rights, bodily autonomy, environmental justice, and the future of communities. The event brought together around one thousand people, along with many NGOs and like-minded organizations, standing united for a future free from violence, exploitation, and environmental destruction.
Hong Kong launched 14 December during International Migrants Day, where they also paid tribute to sisters who died in the brazen fire in HK. OBR Hong Kong is led by migrant and domestic workers from all across Asia who work in Hong Kong.
Between October and December, nine organizations across ten states in India organized an extraordinary 95 Risings. During 16 Days of Activism, India launched OBR 2026 through JEETA’s launch event and a stakeholders’ meeting on child marriage, bringing together police officials, schoolgirls, and members of the social sector. Under the theme Rise for Our Bodies – Our Earth – Our Future, Gramya Resource Centre for Women organized 48 Risings across villages, Panchayats, schools, and hostels, challenging child marriage, gender-based violence, and harmful gender norms while engaging youth, frontline workers, and community members. One Billion Rising India also launched the voter awareness campaign My Vote – My Right across Panchayats in Kangra and Chamba districts, and Jagori Rural Charitable Trust held an event at Sunehar Panchayat, where around 150 participants raised their voices against violence.
Japan launched OBR 2026 on 24 November at the 17th Murasaki Road Parade, beginning with the Break the Chain dance followed by speeches from MPs, Ward Councillors, activity groups, support groups, and survivors during the morning assembly. OBR-Japan then paraded in Omotesando, Shibuya Ward, explaining the purpose of One Billion Rising as the spirit of unity increased.
Myanmar launched during 16 Days of Activism with a rural community gathering that included a special talk, quiz, song, and the sharing of OBR messages. Over 100 participants took part, including GBV survivors, children, and youth, alongside community leaders and predominantly garment factory workers.
The Philippines launched One Billion Rising with militant mass actions and dance protests as GABRIELA marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, urging women to rise against corruption, fascism, and systemic abuse. Indigenous women from various provinces of the Cordillera also rose through protest and dance, condemning government corruption and destructive mining, dam, and logging projects on their ancestral lands while launching One Billion Rising against the abuse of women.
The 2026 Africa regional launch event was held virtually on 24 November, marking the 14th year of the One Billion Rising campaign to end violence against women and girls and focusing on the theme Rising for Our Bodies, Our Earth, Our Future. Participants shared presentations and discussions on patriarchy and its impact on women’s bodies, challenges faced by women with disabilities, and youth activism, highlighting the need for collective action and resistance against gender-based violence. The call also emphasized African solidarity and participation in upcoming actions during the 16 Days of Activism campaign..
Coordinator Aminatou Saher launched One Billion Rising 2026 in Cameroon with a video message during the 16 Days of Activism, calling communities to rise up against violence against women and girls. The message emphasized rising to protect our bodies, speaking up, acting, supporting survivors, and ending gender-based violence.
Gathered at the City of Joy on 1 December, secondary school pupils, residents, and staff rose for our bodies, our earth, and our future, voicing women’s concerns and imagining a future with no rape, plunder of Congo minerals, hunger, women’s exploitation, misogyny, and lack of potable water. School boys and girls gathered to talk about their bodies and their future, learning to honor, cherish, and protect their bodies as their homes, and to treat the bodies of their brothers and sisters with respect and dignity. Discussions about our earth called for connection with the elements of nature and recognition that what we eat and what we breathe comes from Mother Earth, shaping a future of eco-friendly behavior, ambassadors of the earth, and societies free of violence. The risers danced to drumbeats to make connections, support one another, gain new energy, and celebrate the City of Joy One Billion Rising dance. From today on, the City of Joy has paved the way for the One Billion Rising campaign targeting youth and graduates, with actions planned in schools, villages, churches, and communities.
Eswatini’s first launch event was a powerful street and factory campaign in Matsapha, dancing, listening, and standing in solidarity with factory workers and survivors as we rose for our bodies, our earth, and our future. On day two, OBR Eswatini rose at a Giant Factory in Matsapha, where they celebrated the strength and resilience of women while confronting the urgent reality that many still don’t know where to report abuse, reminding us how much work remains to ensure safety and justice. On December 3rd, OBR Eswatini also commemorated the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrating the strength, resilience, and contributions of persons with disabilities in every community.
Thirty children at a basketball camp in Makokou launched OBR 2026 in Gabon, raising awareness about the rights of the child under the theme “Rise for our bodies, our earth, our future,” and emphasizing that protecting their bodies and preserving their environment is protecting their future. OBR Gabon also collaborated with the Samba Mwanas association to raise awareness on ending GBV and preserving the school environment with students at the Lycée d’Application.
Lesotho launched with an OBR event – Rising Together Against GBV – bringing together Leaders of Change and various organizations for meaningful networking, deeper conversations about GBV, and shared responsibility in driving change. On December 1st, OBR Lesotho joined the nation in commemorating World AIDS Day, honouring lives lost and standing with people living with HIV. The third launch event was a bold and energetic street activation at Willow Park under the theme Our Bodies. Our Earth. Our Future, rising, speaking, dancing, and demanding an end to gender-based violence.
On 25 November, Mozambique launched its campaign at Chibuto District, commemorating the 16 Days of Activism under the theme “Rising For Our Bodies, Our Earth, Our Future.” Government representatives from Health, Justice, Education, and Women, Child and Social Wealth also joined.
Under the theme “UNITE! End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” Sierra Leone launched its campaign during the 16 Days of Activism in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, engaging students, community leaders, and media professionals. The engagement created a platform to raise awareness about the growing threats women and girls face online and to strengthen community efforts to promote safer digital spaces.
South Africa rose during the 16 Days of Activism with 16 Services for 16 Days, as Philisa Abafazi Bethu SA and OBR South Africa shared RISE videos calling communities to Rise for your bodies, your safety, your future in solidarity with victims of GBV.
OBR Germany launched their 2026 theme “Women On Fire”/ “Rise For Empathy” with a national dance challenge and a new OBR song. Already, more than 63 cities across Germany have signed up to Rise, and details of their planned risings and the dance challenge can be found at www.onebillionrising.de
OBR Berlin launched with a “Break The Chain” dance action at Brandenburg Gate on 27 November.
Under the action “Violence Does Not Come in the Bag,” Munich, Germany launched One Billion Rising 2026, working with charity organizations and around 200 bakery branches in and around Munich to raise awareness and civil courage against violence. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, bread bags with important aid information were distributed across Munich, Landsberg, and Erding, extending the campaign through bakeries and vocational schools with the message that change begins by acting together.
Serbia launched with the premiere performance of the play “Women’s Room” by the Center for Girls at a crowded National Theater. The play is about the heroines of the Second World War who were in the so-called women’s room of the Red Cross camp and gave their lives fighting against the occupiers.
These launches mark the beginning of a powerful global wave. As we move into the new year, thousands of One Billion Rising events are being planned around the world, building toward the Global Day of Action on 14 February 2026.
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