Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, Kolkata, 24 February 2026: Voices, poetry, music and powerful performances filled Ranu Chhaya Mancha on 24th February 2026 from 3 pm to 5 pm as Kolkata observed One Billion Rising (OBR) 2026 in a spirited collective stand against gender-based violence.
The global movement, initiated in 2012 by feminist activist Eve Ensler in response to findings highlighted by UN Women that one in three women globally experiences violence, continues to mobilise communities worldwide through art and public solidarity.
This year’s theme, “Rise for Our Bodies, Our Earth, Our Future,” underscored the interconnected and structural nature of violence. Drawing from the intersectionality framework articulated by Kimberlé Crenshaw, the programme emphasised that violence is shaped by caste, class, disability, location and socio-economic marginalisation, making collective resistance urgent and necessary.
15 organisations across Kolkata collaboratively organised the observance, reflecting strong cross-sector solidarity including activists, students, artists, civil society members and citizens as everyone came together to collectively raise their voices to eliminate gender- based violence. The programme featured dynamic dance performances, songs, street theatre, recitations, and speeches that transformed the venue into a space of resistance and collective assertion.
The gathering reaffirmed that ending violence against women requires sustained engagement, public participation, and continued advocacy. The event concluded with a unified call to build a society where dignity, equality, and safety are non-negotiable.