Hundreds of women took to the Durbar Hall Ground, demanding an end to atrocities against them, as part of the global campaign ‘One Billion Rising’, here on Thursday.
Popular singer Usha Uthup joined more than forty organisations, in the programme held in connection with ‘V-Day’, a global movement started by American author Eve Ensler fifteen years ago.
The message ‘Strike, Dance and Rise’ was brought to life when women from all walks of life took to the ground and danced. Usha Uthup’s daughter Anjali and television personality Ranjini Haridas also performed at the event. Before the programme, a procession and a tableau were flagged off by Bishop Sebastian Edayantharath, M Lakshmi Kumari and E H Najeeb. The theme song ‘Shathakodi Uyarunnu’ was performed by John Antony and his band. Fifty students from Sneha Bhavan lit candles around visual artist Sajitha Shankar’s installation designed in the form of a ‘V’, symbolising Eve Ensler’s movement. Justice Krishna Iyer and Justice Usha Sukumaran were also present. Krishna Iyer delivered a message to the audience, pledging that women will not be looked down as inferior. Usha Uthup urged the audience to not maintain silence over atrocities against women.The audience was later asked to take an oath to make the world a safe place for women.
Deputy mayor Bhadra, CPM Central Committee member M C Josephine and veteran journalist Leela Menon were also present.