One Billion Rising Campaign
Protest against violence on women urged
Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, addresses a press conference organised in Dhaka Reporters Unity yesterday to announce the countrywide activities of “Uddomey Uttoroney Shotokotiâ€, the Bangladesh chapter of a global movement in protest against violence against women called One Billion Rising, for February 14. On her right are Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori; and Fawzia Khondker Eva, women's rights activist; and on her left are Habibun Nessa, president of Naripokkho; and Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid.Photo: STAR
“Uddomey Uttoroney Shotokotiâ€, the Bangladesh chapter of a global movement called One Billion Rising (OBR), urged men and women from all walks of life in Bangladesh to rise in protest against violence against women along with the rest of the world on February 14. Almost 200 countries and states have pledged their solidarity to the movement initiated by an activist organisation called V-Day. In Bangladesh, the campaign will be carried out in collaboration with different stakeholders including rights-based organisations, government and educational institutions, media and corporate houses, cultural groups, activists and individuals. Around 184 organisations have pledged their support. In a press conference held in Dhaka Reporters' Unity yesterday, representatives from different organisations announced the countrywide activities of the campaign for February 14. Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori, Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid, Habibun Nessa, president of Naripokkho, Fawzia Khondker Eva, women's rights activist, Rokeya Rafique Baby, executive director of Karmojibi Nari, spoke at the conference. Fawzia Khondker Eva said everyone will rise to protest from 1:00pm to 1:30pm in 39 locations in Dhaka city as well as in all 64 districts of the country. Shaheen Anam said, “Our objective is very clear -- we want to break the silence and inaction about violence against women and we want to do it now!†Khushi Kabir emphasised the necessity to connect crimes committed against women in 1971 and the continued rapes of women in Bangladesh. Farah Kabir said, “I hope the young generation that is rising in Shahbagh also sees the movement to end violence against women as their own movement.†The goal of OBR is to have one billion women and men rise for change all over the world. The name was chosen because, according to UN statistics, at least a billion women worldwide will experience sexual or physical violence in her lifetime.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments