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Playwright and activist, Eve Ensler, has transformed her play The Vagina Monologues and Valentine's Day into tools to raise awareness and funds to help end violence against women around the globe.
The 2009 V-Day spotlight campaign is "Stop raping out greatest resource: power to the women and girls of Democratic Republic of Congo." From the VDAY site I learn that "the war has left 5.4 million Congolese dead and 200,000 women raped." The VDAY site also has background on the history and aftermath of sexual violence in the DRC:
All armed groups involved in the conflict have perpetrated sexual violence. Today, several armed groups still use sexual violence as a weapon of war in the DRC.1 Further, international actors, including UN personnel, have been implicated in perpetrating sexual violence in the DRC.2 Armed actors systematically violate women and girls in the streets, fields, and homes.3 The armed actors in the DRC have perpetrated gender-based violence through various forms, including sexual slavery, kidnapping, forced recruitment, forced prostitution, and rape. The Congolese victims of sexual violence include men and boys, who have also suffered rape, sexual humiliation, and genital mutilation.4...
Many survivors of sexual violence suffer from grave long-term psychological and physical health consequences, such as traumatic fistula and HIV. However, health infrastructure in the DRC is almost entirely absent. Shortage of medical services is particularly critical given the prevalence of sexually-transmitted infections and HIV among soldiers and irregular combatants. 6
As part of the 2009 V-Day efforts, Eve Ensler is on a "Turning Pain To Power" speaking tour with Congolese gynecologist, Dr. Denis Mukewege who founded one of the few hospitals that treat victims of rape and mutilation.
One of the greatest aspects of the V-Day campaign, however, is that it is not just Eve Ensler speaking and sharing stories. There are so many ways for everyone to get involved and actively participate in bringing about an end to violence:
- Host a Congo teach-in
- Encourage your church to participate in the Congo Sabbath Initiative
- Read the V-Men Coumnn which shares the perspective of fathers, sons and brothers
- Host or attend a benefit production of The Vagina Monologues
- Urge your Congressperson to support the International Violence Against Women Act
There are so many ways to get involved even if it is just raising your own awareness of the issues facing women at home and around the world. How will you celebrate V-Day?
Additional Reading and Resources:
Learn More
VDAY: A Global Movement To End Violence Against Women And Girls
Marianne Schnall at The Women's Media Center Majority Post: Turning Pain to Power
Women's e-News: V-Day Spotlights Congolese Women Torn by War
Democracy Now! (Video) Playwright, V-Day Founder Eve Ensler and Congolese Gynecologist Dr. Denis Mukwege Raise Awareness on War on Women in DRC
Marlo Thomas at WOWOWOW: Eve Ensler to Marlo Thomas: 'Rape Is Cheap Warfare'
From BlogHer
Nordette: Practicing Presence at V-Day (2008)
My BlogHer interview with Eve Ensler (Audio)
Performances
V-Day Boulder
V-Day Montreal
V-Day Prior Lake, Minnesota
V-Day London
What's On Stage: Nadira Murray On... Vagina Monologues for V-Day
V-Day Bangkok
In Search of Sanuk: Promoting Worthwhile Humanitarian Causes & Recognizing Unsung Heroes: V-Day Comes To Bangkok
Amanda Eggert at Montana Kaimin: Vagina Monologues plays V-Day in the University Theatre
Affrodite's Adventures In Nappy Hair: Eve Ensler The Vagina Monologues fans. YYP Honors V-Day with In Love We Trust Tour featuring all black celebrity cast.
This year, YYP (Yetta Young Productions) is honoring V-Day with a tour called In Love We Trust featuring an all black cast. In Love We Trust includes 2 perspectives for the first time ever onstage- from women and men. In addition to a performance of The Vagina Monologues, Yetta Young has partnered with Peter J. Harris to bring to us The Johnson Chronicles.
Dead Reformer at The Chicago Seminarian: Vagina Monologues at the Hyde Park Seminaries 2/20-21
This is a production begun by Hyde Park Seminarians who felt particularly called to speak out about social justice for women as a part of their faith. This particular production of the Monologues is unique in that it incorporates a reflective tone that asks the audience critical questions about society, about themselves, about their faith or non-belief, and about the production itself. Dialogue and reflection is key to the model of this production, but so is an honest celebration of womanhood, and honoring the testimony of the diverse voices in the Monologues themselves.
Bloggers
Athena's Armoury: V-Day -
