Hundreds join call to end violence against women, protect Earth

The 14th anniversary of One Billion Rising (OBR) was observed in Madurai on Saturday with a collective spirit to reaffirm the commitment to end violence against women and girl children. 

The programme was organised in solidarity with OBR India, Jagori, EKTA, and several civil society organisations, emphasising on women’s safety, role, and various offences against women, among others.  

One Billion Rising, initiated in 2012, is now active across more than 190 countries. The campaign derives its name from U.N. statistics indicating that one in three women worldwide experience violence in their lifetime, said the organisers. 

The 2026 global theme, “Rise for Our Bodies, Our Earth, Our Future,” highlights the deep interconnection between women’s rights, bodily autonomy, and environmental justice, they said.

S. Vanitha, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Madurai City, who flagged off a rally, spoke on women’s safety, skills to be learned by girls and women to empower themselves and the scope of women in expanding their boundaries beyond their houses. “Girls should learn to think beyond what is offered to them and break the shackles to reach unexplored heights in their life,” she said.

R. Gandhimathi, District Social Welfare Officer, Madurai, criticised the convention of objectifying women in the name of culture and gender roles. “When the world has gone beyond the fathomable level, we still try to fit women in the boxes determined by us and our predecessors,” she said.

The oath-taking ceremony was led by advocate Selva Gomathi of Justice Shivraj Patil Foundation, calling upon participants to actively work towards ending sexist violence and protecting the environment. 

Ms. Gomathi said the year’s observance emphasised that violence against women and environmental degradation arise from unequal power structures, and that sustainable futures could only be built by focusing on women’s rights, ecological protection, and youth leadership. 

Around 600 participants — including students, youth, women’s groups, and community members — took part in the cultural performances reflecting the year’s theme.