By Sr. Beena Jose, Link Communicator, Province of Southwest India

Also known as Orange Day, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25, 2024, was celebrated with much enthusiasm and pride by the students and staff at the Good Shepherd School in Mysore (or Mysuru), a city in India’s southwestern Karnataka state.

With a specific focus on ending violence against girls and women, celebrations embraced the initiative “Orange the World.”

The guest speaker, obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Sonia Mandappa, gave a powerful talk on the issues of gender-based violence.

The students listened as she stressed the measures girls and women should be aware of to keep themselves safe and protect themselves from harm in India’s male-dominated society.

Officers from the local police station in Lashkar spoke to raise awareness among students and staff about the dangers of cybercrime.

Encouraging the girls to become change makers of tomorrow, Sr. Hilda John, Director of the Good Shepherd School, spoke with zeal about their undeniable rights in today’s global society.

Following these speeches, students, dignitaries, heads of various schools on the campus, and Good Shepherd partners-in-mission began their public demonstration through the streets.

The rally drew the attention of the crowds as they marched along Bangalore Mysore Road and its surroundings, chanting slogans about violence against women and girls.

All participants formed a human chain from St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Mysore, through the nearby neighborhood.

Standing united hand-in-hand, participants demonstrated their strength to ensure that violence towards women has no place in Indian society.