Rise. Drum. Dance: Marking 14 years of One Billion Rising in Sri Lanka

Getting ready for the drumming session

This year marks the 14th year of OBR in Sri Lanka, celebrated through a range of activities, including awareness campaigns, workshops, drumming, dancing, and collective gatherings, all affirming a life free from violence and harassment against women and Mother Earth

By  J. Karunenthira

At least one in three women worldwide experiences physical or verbal violence at some point in her life. The One Billion Rising (OBR) campaign highlights the urgent need to stand up against violence directed at women and Mother Earth. Every year, February 14 is observed globally as a day of collective action, awareness, and solidarity.

In Sri Lanka, the Rising has been observed since 2013, beginning each year with a launch on January 1 to welcome the New Year. The launch involves spreading messages of love through the distribution of flowers to the public, accompanied by a small procession, particularly in Batticaloa. Accordingly, this year marks the 14th year of OBR in Sri Lanka, celebrated through a range of activities, including awareness campaigns, workshops, drumming, dancing, and collective gatherings.

The main event in Sri Lanka was held on February 14, in Palameenmadu, a coastal village in the Batticaloa District. Activist groups from 10 districts, along with members of the local community, participated. The event was jointly organised by the Samathai Feminist Collective, Third Eye Local Knowledge and Skill Activists Friends Circle, and Artists for Non-Violent Living. More than 600 participants, including activist groups, village communities, and independent activists from across the country, gathered to raise their voices in solidarity.

As part of the main event, Artists for Non-Violent Living launched their 14th consecutive collective visual art exhibition on the same day at Koodam, a creative co-working space situated at New Road, Batticaloa. At the three-day exhibition, various artists who have travelled with the OBR movement over the years, and new comers, produced artworks emphasising a life free from violence and rooted in love. 

Following visits to the exhibition, participants joined the main event voicing their concerns for bodily autonomy, health, dignity, and peaceful living with love, capturing the spirit of V-Day. Significantly, a group from the hill country, severely affected by cyclone Ditwah, also participated. They highlighted the ongoing neglect in relief support and rebuilding efforts. Plantation workers, who have struggled for over 200 years for recognition of their basic rights, raised their voices against systemic neglect. A solidarity statement, prepared and endorsed by feminists, was presented as a petition calling for support for plantation sector workers, and participants signed it during the event.

A symbolic ‘Life of Love Hut’, carrying the message ‘Let us create a life of love and endorse love,’ was set up. Participants pledged not to harm anyone, including Mother Earth, by stamping and signing their commitment on a wide white ribbon. 

The Men for Gender Equality group, which promotes shared responsibilities including engagement in household tasks, facilitated refreshments for participants. Their involvement symbolised a commitment to challenging harmful norms of masculinity and patriarchy, promoting gender equality, and supporting the prevention of violence against women.

The event also emphasised the importance of alternative education systems that nurture children from a young age to become critical thinkers and advocates against fascism and exploitative capitalism. Discussions highlighted how economic systems often fuel fragmentation and violence, replacing direct warfare with structural and economic oppression. Participants reflected on approaches to strengthen local capacities through education, activism, and skill development, enabling communities to engage with global systems while preserving dignity and identity.

Parallel to the main gathering, several events were organised across Sri Lanka. One notable event was held in Hatton, themed ‘Her Lands, Her Rights’ demanding land rights for women living in plantation areas. More than 100 women from 15 community-based organisations, including women leaders, raised their voices for women’s land rights and collectively pledged that “Land in the hands of women is protected”. The event highlighted the importance of recognising women’s vital contributions to safeguarding land and natural resources.

Overall, the 2026 Rising events reaffirmed a collective vision of a society where women are never violated, at any time, in any place, under any circumstance.

Rise. Drum. Dance For a life free from violence.

Her land: Her rights demonstration at Hatton