Dharamshala — Hundreds of Tibetans, including women, students and nuns, commemorated the 66th anniversary of Tibetan Women's Uprising Day by protesting China's illegal occupation of Tibet and staged a peaceful march from Mcleod Ganj to Kacheri, Dharamshala, on March 12, 2025, to raise awareness of the Tibet issue in India and around the world.
The Tibetan Women's Association organised an event to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the National Tibetan Women's Uprising Day, near the Temple Road parking lot, Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, on March 12, 2025. Neenu Sharma, Mayor of Dharamshala, was the chief guest, Kunchok Migmar, head of the Tibetan Settlement Office, was the special guest, along with representatives of Tibetan NGOs from Daharamshala. Girl Students from classes 7 to 12 of the Upper Tibetan Children Village School, nuns from the nunnery in Dharamshala and Tibetans, mostly Tibetan women, attended the event.
During the commemoration, Tsering Dolma, President of the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA), read out the TWA's statement on the 66th anniversary of the National Tibetan Women's Uprising Day. She said, "Today, the Tibetan Women's Association commemorates the 66" anniversary of National Tibetan Women's Uprising Day. In 1959, when the entire territory of Tibet was illegally occupied by the Chinese government and the existence of the Tibetan state was at stake, the Tibetan government and people, even when reduced to the point of exhaustion, united as one without hesitation. On March 12, 1959, the women of the three provinces gathered in the vast Drilbu Yulkhey field in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. This was a day of great significance marking the 66th anniversary of the massive women's uprising against the illegal occupation of all of Tibet by the Communist Chinese government. This is not only a day remembered by Tibetan women both inside and outside Tibet, but also a historically significant day for all Tibetans. A day that should be remembered and commemorate by both the government and individuals."
"Tibetan Women's association was continued in Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Gangtok in exile to preserve the organization re-established by the capable women of the three provinces of Tibet. Later, due to the severe living conditions faced by Tibetans, the association gradually declined. In 1984, under the guidance of His Holiness the 14" Dalai Lama, the organization was revived. It has now been 66 years since its initial establishment, maintaining its original aspirations and objectives in the struggle for Tibet's cause. The growth and strengthening of the Tibetan Women's Association organization during this period is primarily a result of the great achievements made through the dedicated service to the Tibetan cause by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and especially the elder executive members and members who have taken great responsibility throughout the different periods. TWA is the only Tibetan women's organization that maintains unwavering faith and devotion to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, conducts campaigns for the Tibetan cause with historical significance, and follows the Middle Way Approach. The Tibetan Women's Association is the oldest non-governmental organization with 59 regional chapters and more than 21,000 members," President Dolma continued.
"Up to now, the Chinese Communist government has continued to implement various policies aimed at eradicating the Tibetan people under oppression, since its invasion of Tibet. The situation has been deteriorating day by day. Particularly, Tibetans inside Tibet are living in a critical situation under constant oppression and strict control by the Chinese Communist government. Since 1959, due to various peaceful movements by freedom-loving Tibetans, the Chinese government has used different weapons to kill more than one million Tibetans. The 11th Panchen Lama and countless other Tibetans have disappeared without a trace. Moreover, due to the Chinese government's repressive policies, Tibetans inside Tibet have been driven to self-immolation for the sake of their nation and people. Furthermore, the Chinese government continues to hold malicious and brutal policies aimed at exterminating the Tibetan people," she added.
TWA President declared, "The Chinese government has established separate boarding schools in Tibet, forcibly enrolling Tibetan Children where they are politically indoctrinated and cultural assimilation. Particularly, in monasteries and nunneries, communist ideology is deeply ingrained, and Tibetan ethnic religious and cultural activities are not allowed. Additionally, Tibetan officials are not permitted to participate in religious activities. Tibetans are also restricted from traveling to the upper, middle, and lower regions of their own country, Tibet."
"The Tibetan Plateau is commonly referred to as the "Third Pole" and has the potential to significantly influence global environmental trends. The stability of the environment in Tibet is not only crucial for the Tibetan people but also serves as the basis for the lives of 1.5 billion people in Asia, particularly the water sources. In January of this year, the main cause of the earthquake disaster in Tibet's regions was identified as the deforestation, mining, and construction of numerous dams along Tibet's major rivers and waterways, which has been on-going since the Chinese Communist government's invasion of Tibet," she explained.
The President said, "The construction of new dams along the Drichu (Mekong) river has resulted in the forced relocation of Tibetans to other areas without regard for their freedom of movement and residence. Additionally, various nuclear and other weapons-related factories have polluted the environment caused by these actions, including the degradation of the environment. The Chinese Communist government must immediately cease its on-going destruction of both the natural and cultural heritage of Tibet. This issue is not only about the well-being of Tibet and its people, but is directly related to the security and livelihood of Tibet's neighbouring countries. Therefore, we urge the people of Asian countries to pay attention to this matter as well. We also call upon the international community to take this issue seriously and provide support."
"Nevertheless, we applaud our Tibetan brothers and sisters inside Tibet who continue to carry out peaceful protests against the Chinese government's brutal actions toward Tibetans, maintaining their courage and determination without wavering. Due to the changing dynamics of international politics and China's policies in Tibet, Tibetans and organizations worldwide have conducted various campaigns and advocacy efforts to raise awareness about Tibet's cause and the actual situation inside Tibet. As a result, international support for resolving the Sino-Tibetan conflict has been growing year by year," She mentioned.
"In particular, the Tibetan Women's Association has successfully conducted numerous notable campaigns at the international level. We have firm conviction that the Tibetan Women's Association will continue to carry out even more campaigns for Tibet's cause in the future. We express our admiration, praise, and gratitude for the heroic legacy and courageous spirit of the patriotic women who sacrificed their precious lives for Tibet and their people. We also express our solidarity and respectful condolences to those who have suffered and continue to suffer under the Chinese Communist government's repression," She added.
"We, the current generation, must never forget these matters. It is our present duty to praise their courage and ensure that their hopes and dreams of reuniting Tibetans inside and outside Tibet are never lost but realized The Tibetan Women's Association would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported the cause of Tibet in the international community over the past 66 years, and request your continued support in the future," the statement of TWA concluded.
Following the event, TWA organised a Peace March from Mcleod Ganj to Kacheri, Dharamshala, on March 12, 2025, to protest China's illegal occupation of Tibet in 1959and to raise awareness of the Tibet issue in India and around the world. Hundreds of Tibetans, including women, students and nuns, joined the march.
