February 14 which is celebrated world over as a day of love is chosen by V-Day global activists to render deeper meaning to ‘love’ by campaigning against violence and for equality, justice and love.

A movement that started off in the USA to call for rising of One Billion people (including men) against violence has now spread its wings to 160 countries with effects expected to be felt in at least eight states and several villages across India.

The campaign named as ‘One Billion Rising (OBR) – STRIKE, DANCE, RISE - has been mathematically coined to represent one in every three women on the planet experiencing physical violence or is raped during her lifetime (United Nations’ figure). So that’s one third of half the world population.

Several organisations and individuals, notably college students from Delhi University, Goethe-Institute, YWCAs, North East Network, Shabana Azmi, Rahul Bose, Usha Uthup have joined hands to work together under the coordinated efforts of Sangat and Jagori (NGOs working for empowerment of women).

Leading up to the rising on V-Day, a film festival ‘Our lives…to live, No! to gender violence will be organised  by International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) in New Delhi, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram followed by more cities to create awareness on violence against women. In addition, there are plans to initiate activities encouraging talks about sexual harassment, prevention of sex selective abortion and urging respective state governments to respond to such violence at all levels.

OBR invitation to ‘sing, dance and celebrate women’s right to be free from fear of violence, discrimination and harassment’ is a good way to bring women together and inspire courage and hope.