Dharamshala — The Tibetan Women's Association commemorated the 67th anniversary of the Tibetan women's uprising on March 12, 2026. They said, "We honour the courage of the patriotic heroines who sacrificed their precious lives for sake of Tibet's religion, government, and people. We extend our deepest condolences to all who continue to suffer under China's repression. "
The Tibetan Women's Association commemorated the 67th anniversary of the Tibetan women's uprising on March 12, 2026, in the parking lot near the main Tibetan temple in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala. Tibetan women, students, nuns, and Tibetans from the Dharamshala area joined in the commemoration. The guest of honour was Kyitsang Rinpoche, a former political prisoner, and special guests included representatives of Tibetan NGOs in Dharamshala as well as former presidents and executive members of the Tibetan Women's Association.
Statement of the 67 Tibetan Women's Uprising Day said, "On March 12, 1959, when the Chinese government illegally occupied Tibet and brought the Tibetan nation to the brink of destruction, the women of Tibet's three provinces rose in extraordinary courage.
"Despite having no men and no weapons, thousands of patriotic Tibetan women gathered at Norbulingka near the Potala Palace and launched a historic uprising against China's illegal annexation of Tibet.
"It has now been 67 years since that momentous occasion, a day of profound historical significance that must never be forgotten by every Tibetan, whether inside Tibet or in exile. The women of the three provinces who carried out the uprising on March 12, 1959, commemorated its first anniversary in exile in Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Gangtok, and continued their activities in the years that followed.
"In 1984, under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Women's Association was formally reconstituted to carry forward the struggle for Tibet. Today, with 59 regional chapters and over 21,000 members, the Tibetan Women's Association stands as one of the oldest non-governmental organizations and pursues the Middle Way Approach in the struggle for Tibet. We pay tribute to the dedicated service of all former executives and members across every generation, particularly our elderly women, who contributed immensely during the most difficult of times.
"Since China's occupation of Tibet, its government has continuously implemented policies aimed at the systematic destruction of the Tibetan people, and the situation worsens day by day. Tibetan singers, writers, environmental conservationists, defenders of religion and culture, protectors of language and script, and religious figures such as lamas, monks, and nuns are imprisoned, tortured, and arbitrarily arrested on fabricated political charges. The Tibetan language and script are being systematically dismantled within their own homeland.
"The Chinese government has killed over one million Tibetans and forcibly disappeared countless others, including the 11" Panchen Lama (Gendun Choekyi Nyima. In the most heart breaking expression of protest, 169 Tibetan men and women, laypeople and monastics alike have self-immolated against China's repressive policies, making the supreme sacrifice for their nation and people. Their families have since faced continued torture and coercion. Furthermore, Tibetan children are being forcibly separated from their parents and placed in residential boarding schools for political indoctrination, while young children and monastics are prevented from receiving religious education. The freedom of movement, expression, and assembly of Tibetans is suppressed around the clock.
"The Tibetan plateau is known as the "Third Pole of the World" which profoundly influences global environmental conditions. Since occupying Tibet, China has engaged in deforestation, mineral extraction, the destruction of historically significant heritage sites, and the diversion of major rivers, causing continuous damage to both the natural and cultural environment, this must certainly be stopped Despite these grave circumstances, we commend our brothers and sisters inside Tibet for their unwavering courage in peacefully resisting China's brutal actions. Growing international support each year reflects the tireless advocacy of Tibetans both inside and outside Tibet. The Tibetan Women's Association remains firmly committed to intensifying its activities in the struggle for Tibet by pursuing. the Middle Way Approach. The Tibetan cause is not merely a matter of sovereignty; it is the defining test of humanity's ethics and equality in the 21st century.
"We honour the courage of the patriotic heroines who sacrificed their precious lives for sake of Tibet's religion, government, and people. We extend our deepest condolences to all who continue to suffer under China's repression. It is the solemn responsibility of our generation to remember their sacrifice, to unite Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, and to fulfil their aspirations. We sincerely thank all those in the international community who have supported the Tibetan cause over these 67 years, and we earnestly request their continued support.
"Finally, we offer our prayers that His Holiness the Dalai Lama may live for a hundred eons, that all his wishes are spontaneously fulfilled, and that Tibetans inside and outside Tibet may be swiftly reunited in the happiness and prosperity of freedom," they concluded.
