In the run up to International Women day on 8^th March the campaign one billion rising is still alive in Patna.

The ground of Bihar Vidyapeeth echoed with the voice of approximately 2000 women and girls from different corners of Bihar who stood together for their rights and to stop violence against women on the V-Day 14^th February. The program started with the women shouting “we are one” and dancing zumba style with Jhumki Das. The program witnessed many political leaders who inspired the women to stand for their rights.

Padmashri Sudha Varghese said “we women are half of the population, we are also voters then why are we deprived from our rights. We are also supposed to be recognized and given right to get educated and employed”. She motivated women to stand against the injustices against them and fight for their rights.

Different schools, colleges and NGOs of Patna joined the campaign supporting the movement and stood united for one cause “To stop violence against women”. Apart from that many political leaders were there to support and many promises were done by them for their reform. Ms. Supriya, representative of Congress talked about the problem such as widow pension, old age pension, ration faced by the women especially in rural areas. She also promised to stand for them.

The anchor of the program Reshma made the aim of the campaign very clear to people present there that women will be no longer victims of the patriarchal society norms. Society has to treat men and women equal and they will be no more silent victims.

Dance drama on rape and domestic violence was presented by school girls, tribal dance of Jaharkand was presented by the participants from there and a poem “Ajadiya” was sung by Rambha Devi. An inspirational speech was given by Ramkali Devi that women should stand united with each other for each other and support them. Women, girls and all the visitors present their painted their messages on canvas.

The organizers said “one billion rising is celebrated on 14^th February the v-day because violence cannot be countered by violence but it can be finished by love so today we spread our message to stop violence against women and to spread love in each other’s  life”. The program ended with the performance of the Nari Gunjan band that made everyone dance and celebrate the day.

  one billion rising, WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, women’s rights