Thousands mark One Billion Rising campaign in Delhi

Thousands mark One Billion Rising campaign in Delhi  Thousands of people in Delhi Thursday joined the 'One Billion Rising' global campaign for women's rights by participating in series of cultural events including musical shows and street plays.         

The event was timed to coincide with Valentine's Day, choosing the day of love to spark off a new revolution for gender equality and social justice. Street plays, marches, flash mobs dancing and various other events were organised in places like Seemapuri, Badarpur, Madanpur Khadar and Govindpuri in which women, men and youth from all walks of life came together to raise their voice against oppression and for justice to the fairer sex.         

Several youth and women's group also organised similar programmes at Dilli Haat, Miranda House College and Lady Shri Ram College in the morning which continued till evening. The events were part of a global 'One Billion Rising' campaign which took place across 200 countries to demand end to violence against women and children.        

Campaigners in the national capital said they were still agitated over the brutal gang rape of a physiotherapy student on a moving bus in December that shook the nation and demanded tougher laws to ensure women's safety in the city.         

A group of wheelchair-bound youths staged performances at seven Metro stations of the city during the day to raise awareness about the issue. They were accompanied by college youths sporting placards and banners demanding safe public places for women.         

A large number of women street vendors under the banner of National Association of Street Vendors of India also voiced their protest against increasing harassment of women on the city’s streets. These scattered demonstrations throughout the day culminated into one large public gather in the evening at Parliament Street which featured a play followed by song and dance performances by students of Lady Shri Ram College, Miranda House and Kamala Nehru College.         

The cultural event also saw street plays, dances, songs of freedom, skits and various performances by renowned musicians and bands. A number of women’s right activists addressed the gathering. It concluded with a prayer meeting and lighting up of candles for a better and more safer society for women.