One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. That’s ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS.
One Billion Rising (OBR) is a powerful global movement dedicated to ending violence against women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals and addresses the devastating consequences of the ongoing vicious systems of patriarchy, imperialism, capitalism and racism in the world today and the destructive battle for power fought over women’s bodies and the body of the earth. The Vallamai Movement’s observance of One Billion Rising in Jaffna this year, the movement itself is deeply rooted in activism against gender-based violence, with the theme “Breaking the Chain of All Forms of Violence and Oppression – Rising Up” reflects the core mission of One Billion Rising, which encourages people worldwide to stand in solidarity, resist injustice, and demand change.
During the event, Rajany Rajeshwary from Vallamai posed a critical question to participants: “Can a woman get pregnant if she is raped?” The responses were startling—half of the adults, including married women with children and men, firmly believed that pregnancy from rape was impossible. The widespread misconception among the participants and the shocking revelation highlights the urgent need for education about women’s bodies, reproductive health, consent, survivor support and the realities survivors of sexual violence face. Misinformation like this can contribute to harmful narratives, including victim-blaming, denial of medical support, and a lack of justice for survivors. The discussion has been truly eye-opening. The event served as a wake-up call to prioritize empathy, and justice in addressing gender-based violence, making education a key tool in dismantling oppression. Not only does it help dismantle myths, but it also emphasizes compassion and dignified life of survivors.
“Why do we still live in a world where women fear walking alone at night. -Why do so many survivors of violence remain unheard?
The recent heartbreaking incident of a schoolgirl in Colombo Sri Lanka, who died by suicide after suffering sexual abuse and subsequent public humiliation underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for abuse survivors, support for survivors rather than judgment and isolation, education on sexual violence, and accountability for institutions that fail to act. This highlighted the harmful consequences of misinformation, including victim-blaming and inadequate care, and reinforced the importance of community-driven awareness initiatives. Efforts like these are essential in building a society where survivors are believed, protected, and empowered
“She never thought the person who vowed to protect her would become her greatest fear”. 1 in every 8 women and girls aged 15-49 was subjected to sexual and/or physical violence by an intimate partner (UN Women 2024)
Radha Paudal, CEO and the founder of Global South Coalition for Dignified Menstruation from Nepal, In her message on One Billion Rising –
‘As a conceptualised and theorized the Dignified Menstruation, OBR is very important since beginning. Directly involved since 2014 when activist late Kamla Bhasin led the OBR event in Kathmandu Nepal in 2014. Menstrual Discrimination is complex and multifaceted and prevalence across the globe visibly and invisibly and in both private and public space. Its matter of domestic or intimate partner violence or child marriage or sexual abuse or chronic malnutrition or menopause or climate justice. OBR creates a space for dialogue on Dignified Menstruation or Dignified Menstruation is created space for OBR. Menstrual Discrimination plays a primary role for construction and socialising the systematic inequalities and patriarchy therefore, it is more important to those who stands for OBR. Without having Dignified Menstruation within person, at home, school, community, workplace or everywhere, the goal of OBR is not possible at all’.
In her remarks on OBR, Nalini Ratnarajah, Women’s and Human’s Rights activist, Life transformational coach, Trainer and Resource person on Gender Equality and Women’s Rights from Sri Lanka –
“At this critical juncture, as the world grapples with conflict and instability, the OBR campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the need to invest in peacebuilding efforts that prioritize inclusion and empowerment. War and displacement often place a disproportionate burden on women, disrupting their access to education, economic opportunities, and decision-making spaces. The One Billion Rising movement sheds light on these realities and fosters solidarity to advocate for policies that ensure women’s leadership in rebuilding communities and shaping a more just future.
Armed conflicts have long-lasting social and economic consequences, deepening inequalities that limit women’s potential to thrive. The One Billion Rising campaign underscores the importance of addressing these challenges by promoting resilience, healing, and sustainable solutions that center women’s well-being and leadership. By mobilizing communities worldwide, it pushes for systemic change that uplifts those most affected by war, ensuring that recovery efforts prioritize fairness and social justice. The movement’s emphasis on collective action and creative expression provides a hopeful and transformative pathway to reimagine societies where women are not just survivors but active architects of peace and progress. In Sri Lanka and south Asian countries, the One Billion Rising campaign is a crucial platform for fostering unity and advocating for policies that ensure women’s leadership in post-conflict recovery and social transformation.”
Activism must continue to progress by strongly condemning the ongoing violence against women and girls in the country. It is essential to advocate for the swift reform of the judicial system to ensure timely justice, while also emphasizing the importance of social justice as a fundamental pillar of change.
In Sri Lanka, women constitute 52.09% of population according to the 2012 census of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka witnessed a historic shift in 2024, with women’s representation in parliament doubling from 5.3% to 10.7%. The 10th Parliament, with its record-breaking 22 female Members of Parliament, marking a significant milestone in gender inclusivity in politics. The visibility of women in Sri Lankan politics is increasing. In addition, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya got the second-highest preferential votes in the history of Sri Lankan elections and became the Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, making her the first female Prime Minister since 1994.
In February 2025, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Women and Child Affairs presented progress on women’s rights since its 9th periodic report during the 90th Session of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) acknowledges the government’s efforts to implement CEDAW recommendations from the eighth periodic report. However, it expresses concern that the National Action Plan on Human Rights (2017-2021) expired in 2021, with no new plan introduced. The report primarily covers developments between 2016 and 2022, but relevant post-2022 updates are included. The lack of a new action plan raises concerns about continued commitment to human rights and gender equality. They are as follows:
- Several Sri Lankan laws, including the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act, and Vagrants Ordinance, contain discriminatory provisions against women. The HRCSL recommends repealing or amending these laws to align with CEDAW. Women, including sex workers, face discrimination in the criminal justice system, with many detained under outdated regulations. The LGBTIQ community also suffers harassment under laws such as the Penal Code and Vagrants Ordinance. Discriminatory rules have been imposed on Muslim women’s attire, notably after the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, leading to harassment. However, progress has been made in transgender rights, with official recognition of gender identity through Ministry of Health circulars and a push for legislative amendments. In 2024, the HRCSL intervened to ensure fair treatment of female students facing discrimination over religious attire. The Women Empowerment Act of 2024 now recognizes gender and sexual orientation as protected categories, but further constitutional inclusion is recommended. Additionally, guidelines were issued in 2023 to improve police protection of transgender individuals.
- Malaiyaha Tamil women working in Sri Lanka’s plantation sector face significant intersectional discrimination based on ethnicity, language, and economic status. Historical exclusionary policies, inadequate state services, and economic isolation have deepened their marginalization. Many of these women work in tea and rubber plantations for meager wages while private companies’ exploitative practices violate their fundamental rights, including health, housing, and decent work. The community also suffers from high rates of school dropouts among girls due to caregiving responsibilities, making them vulnerable to trafficking. In response, the HRCSL formed a thematic sub-committee in 2024 to address these issues and advocate for the rights of Malaiyaha Tamil women through engagement with both state and private actors.
- Sri Lanka introduced a 25% quota for women in local government through the 2016 amendment, leading to the election of about 2,200 women representatives in 2018. However, no such quota exists for provincial or parliamentary elections, resulting in low female representation, with only 5% of elected members in 2020 being women. Women politicians continue to face significant verbal abuse and harassment from both the public and their peers. In a positive shift, the 2024 parliamentary elections saw 21 women elected, marking the highest percentage of female parliamentarians in Sri Lankan history. Despite this progress, challenges remain in ensuring greater political participation and equal opportunities for women.
- Sri Lanka established key transitional justice mechanisms, including the Office on Missing Persons (2017), the Office for Reparation (2018), and the Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Act (2018). These institutions were created to address past human rights violations and provide redress for victims. However, women—particularly mothers and spouses—continue to demand truth and accountability for crimes committed during past insurrections and the post-2009 conflict period. Many victims and activists express growing distrust in formal justice mechanisms, questioning their effectiveness in delivering truth and accountability. This ongoing struggle highlights the need for more transparent and inclusive approaches to transitional justice.
- Sri Lanka Police has established Women and Children Bureaus in every police station to support women’s access to justice. However, cultural norms, patriarchal systems, economic challenges, and language barriers continue to hinder effective access, particularly for women in the North, East, and Malaiyaha Tamil communities. There is also inadequate minority representation within the police force, and despite cabinet approval for a 15% female cadre in specific grades, vacancies remain unfilled. Women face difficulties in seeking justice for gender-based violence, including domestic violence. The HRCSL recommends continued gender-responsive training for police officers to improve justice outcomes for women
We rise to show we are determined to create a new kind of consciousness –one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.
– One Billion Rising –