'One Billion Rising' Makes A Massive Hit in Hyderabad

A massive 5000 women, men and youth from all strata of society came together on 14 February to express their solidarity for the nation-wide “One Billion Rising India Campaign” in Hyderabad. Representatives from 30 NGOs across the twin cities along with independent activists, women representatives from the government, transgender community activists came together to support the Campaign.

The rally began in Hyderabad at 4.00 pm from Jalavihar and went on to People’s Plaza. The rally saw a mass rising of children, members of the transgender community, NGO workers, Students, Teachers, Activist and people at large who raised their voices against various form of violence against women. The rally culminated at People’s Plaza where a range of activities were lined up.

The first performance was by children of the Rainbow Home. Rainbow homes is a campaign launched in Andhra Pradesh in the year 2008 to protect the rights of, and help reclaim the childhood of, deprived girls in urban areas which was extended for boys at a later stage. Through the Balyamitra Network, they have reached out to 1570 children out of which 1096 are girls and 474 are boys through 20 homes or Residential Special Training Centres--RSTCs (10 for girls and 10 for boys) located in government schools, with these children attending classes in 66 government schools.They performed on the One Billion Rising Song – Break the chain.

Vasanth Kannabiran, renowned feminist writer and founder member of Asmita Resource Centre for Women in her inaugural address welcomed all the attendees to the campaign. She said that this global one billion rising against violence against women would mark a new era and create an environment where women can enjoy their fundamental rights for which freedom from violence is the basis.

This was followed by the performance by the Avagaahana Group on the violation of rights of Transgender persons. Avagaahana Group was established by the Transgenders and Hizras Community in November 2009. All the organization board members are Transgenders and Hizras. It is working to prevent the HIV/AIDS, to supporting Community and mobilize the Community.

The highlight of this event is serving the delicious and healthy refreshments by women from the Chanchalguda Prison. They join the activity and claim accolades and applause for their voluntary contribution towards the event.

According to spokesman from Asmita, the daylong campaign, to raise awareness on the issue of violence against women and children, brought together a plethora of women’s organizations, elected representatives, legal luminaries, leading social movements, actors, artists, NGOs, academic institutions and individuals both men and women who expressed their support for the campaign through song, dance, plays , rallies and the sharing of experiences.

In Andhra Pradesh, Asmita has mobilized representatives from 26 organisations covering 15 districts to ensure that violence against women does not remain urban centric, as part of the OBR campaign in the district. 7000 Rural women, men and students joined the movement on 10^th December to celebrate Human rights day and also 14^th February 2013 to celebrate the Andhra Pradesh One billion Rising campaign. The rural campaign saw women, men and students participating in what they term as the AP Rural Rising Campaign, spokesman added.