One Billion Rising is the biggest mass action to end violence against women in human history. The campaign, which launched on Valentine’s Day 2012, began as a call to action based on the staggering statistic that 1 in 3 women on the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. With the world population at 7 billion, this adds up to more than ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS.

Over the years, many countries have achieved gender parity in both primary and secondary education but girls continue to face the greatest challenges, especially access to secondary education. The negative consequences of lack of education are visible throughout a woman’s life. An uneducated girl is less capable of making her own family planning decisions. A child bride is more likely to face health issues and psychological distress, and her children are more exposed to malnutrition and illiteracy. The structural barriers and discriminatory social norms contribute to gender inequality in education. One of the main reasons for girls’ low educational attainment is gender-based violence and in particular sexual harassment and child marriage. Education, thus, is fundamental to the development of both aspirations and skills: an educated girl is more capable of managing the property and her finances and has higher chances to have access to credit.

The #iRiseforRighttoEducation initiative by Aide et Action is a campaign part of the One Billion Rising aimed at expressing our solidarity towards Women Education and Empowerment and raise our voice against violence against women.

With the strong belief in changing the world through Education, we bring to you stories of change and solidarity from our projects across South Asia through the #iRiseforRighttoEducation campaign.