Sri Lanka’s call to end violence against women

It is your campaign and our campaign because a woman is raped every 90 minutes in Sri Lanka. One in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime.

Out of seven billion world population, up to one billion women have been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetimes. Usually, the abuser is a member of her own family or someone known to her.  That is why we should join the One Billion Rising.

How many times must a woman get harassed?

Before they reach their homes

How many battles must a woman have to fight?

Before she stands for her rights

How many rapes must we report on a day?

Before they are forever stopped

The answer, my friend, is not blowing in the wind

the answer is not blowing in the wind



How many years must a court case take?

Before women give up their case

how many years can some women exist?

Before they’re allowed to be safe

how many times can a man turn his head?

And pretend that he just doesn’t see

the answer, my friend, is not blowing in the wind

the answer is not blowing in the wind



how many times must a woman cry in pain?

Before she can be heard?

How many ears must one man have?

Before he can hear women cry

how many deaths will it take till he knows?

That too many women have died

the answer, my friend, is not blowing in the wind

the answer is not blowing in the wind



Time has come women – stand up and speak

Time has come women – rise up and strike



Lyrics adapted from Bob. Dylan by Shamila Daluwatte, Sri Lanka

Let’s all rise up against gender based violence!

OBR Sri Lanka invites you to join the global One Billion Rising movement (http://www.onebillionrising.org/)