India Launches “#AbKoiBahanaNahi” Campaign to Combat Gender-Based Violence.
New Delhi:
The Government of India has launched the #AbKoiBahanaNahi campaign, a national initiative aimed at combating gender-based violence and empowering women and individuals of diverse genders. The campaign, a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Rural Development, with support from UN Women, was inaugurated in New Delhi today.
Addressing the gathering, Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, emphasized that the campaign seeks to advance women’s rights, eliminate fear and gender-based discrimination, and empower women to break free from societal constraints. The goal is to enable women to report violence without shame and fight for their dignity.
The campaign builds on the United Nations’ global #NoExcuse initiative and aligns with India’s zero-tolerance stance toward all forms of gender-based violence. The Minister also highlighted the government’s focus on women-led development through measures such as reducing women’s drudgery, increasing access to healthcare and financial systems, and ensuring safe mobility and accommodation.
In his address, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for Rural Development, stressed the importance of achieving women’s empowerment in social, political, and educational spheres. He pointed out that the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) cannot be realized without women’s full and equal participation, which is hindered by the pervasive issue of gender-based violence.
The campaign was launched alongside the Nayi Chetna 3.0 initiative by the Ministry of Rural Development, reinforcing the national commitment to end gender-based violence and ensure a safer environment for women and girls. At the launch, a film highlighting the need for accountability from all stakeholders, including citizens, was showcased, calling for collective action against gender-based violence.
The #AbKoiBahanaNahi campaign aims to catalyze systemic change by fostering advocacy efforts and informing policy decisions related to the safety and security of women and girls. The initiative is expected to create a ripple effect, where each action reinforces the message that women’s safety is a fundamental and non-negotiable priority for the country’s growth.
The launch event was attended by women leaders from Self Help Groups, staff from One Stop Centres, and Aanganwadi workers, among others. The campaign’s launch was broadcast live to ensure widespread awareness, particularly in remote areas of the country.
The 16 Days of Activism campaign, running from 25th November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to 10th December (Human Rights Day), will serve as a platform to raise awareness and promote action to end gender-based violence globally.
