Sex workers, women's groups in One Billion Rising campaign

Sex workers from the city's red light areas participated in street plays and dances and brought out a rally as part of the global One Billion Rising campaign that aims to end violence against women and uphold gender parity.

Around 100 women, including daughters of sex workers. took part in the rally that began in Kolkata's Khidirpur.

The play highlighted problems like trafficking of girls, before the rallyists submitted a charter of demands to police calling for steps to ensure women's safety and support to witnesses of violence against women.

The second edition of the One Billion Rising campaign earlier kicked off in the city with a workshop on discuss the Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

Kolkata-based women's rights organisation 'Swayam' spearheaded the workshop, in collaboration with the Jadavpur University's School of Women's Studies.

A walk-through inside the varsity's campus was also held during the day to express solidarity with the campaign.

A number of other organisations and individuals joined the cause in the state.