EMN
Dimapur, February 15
As part of the global campaign ‘One Billion Rising (OBR)’ that calls for action to end Violence Against Women & Girls (VAW), the North East Network (NEN) Nagaland with Young Indians of Patkai Christian College (PCC) organised a rising event on the theme ‘Revolution for Love, Peace & Equality’ at Bundrock Chapal Hall, PCC Chumukedima on February 14. The event is an effort to raise local awareness on a global issue, and extend solidarity to women and men who are part of the OBR campaign in ending VAW. Around 300 young people attended the event.
K.Ela, Director of Prodigals Home Dimapur in her solidarity message said, cases of violence against women and girls (VAW) in Nagaland that get reported in the news was just a tip of an ice-berg as many cases do not get reported in news or in police stations.’ She pointed out that ‘the silence and the indifferent attitude of the people towards issue of VAW’ perpetuated VAW and that ‘societal attitude of blaming and stigmatizing the victim instead of extending support’ must stop. While challenging the young men to respect women, and the young women to be aware of their rights and confidently assert their rights, Ela urged all the participants to break the silence, raise their voice and act to end VAW.
Seno Tsuhah, NEN, in her note of ‘call to action’ said, ‘we are humans before we are Christians, Muslims, Hindus. We are humans before we are rich or poor. We are humans before we are a man or a woman. And as humans, we All have a right to love, peace and equality’.
Stating that ‘real women and men do not fear equality and peace’, she challenged all women and men to rise up and say no to VAW, and to be the change they want to see.
One Billion Raising (OBR) is the biggest mass action to end VAW in human history. OBR is was a call for action to the staggering statistic that 1 in every 3 women on the planet will be beaten and raped in her lifetime.
Launched on 14th February, Valentine’s Day, people across the world came together to express their outrage, strike, dance and rise in defiance of the injustice women suffer, demanding an end to all forms of VAW, and highlighted the impunity that lives at the intersection of poverty, racism, war, plunder of environment, capitalism, imperialism and patriarchy.
The event concluded with a signature campaign where all participants signed their names pledging to ‘break the silence and join the campaign in ending violence against women & girls’.
Colourful performances by talented young musicians and dance crews from PCC campus, Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung marked the event. They are Trinity Mob Crew, Hybrid Movement, Funky Fresh Boys, Roar Crew, Cyber Unique Boys, Coloured Keys Band, Rapper Rhokuosie Rugs Ngouri, Singers Lipokmenla & Elicheu Losouu, and drummer Vilivi H.Awomi. Wekoweu, programme manager NEN delivered the welcome & introductions, while Wetshete Thopi, Lecturer PCC pronounced the vote of thanks. It may be mentioned that OBR events took place in more than 200 countries.
