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‘One Billion Rising’ campaign against violence
Women rights activist sparks drive for violence-free society
Despite incessant power outages, the Theatre Guild came to life on Monday evening with artistic presentations that included a special dramatization by renowned American playwright, performer and women rights activist, Eve Ensler.
CADVA’s Programme Director and Regional Coordinator of the One Billion Rising Campaign Dianne Madray during her presentation on Monday.
Ensler, who is best known for her book the “Vagina Monologues,” is founder of “One Billion Rising,” a global campaign aimed at ending violence against women and promoting gender equality.
The “billion” refers to the UN statistic that one in three women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime. In 2012, the One Billion Rising campaign culminated in the biggest mass global action to end violence against women ever, with tens of thousands of events held in more than 190 countries.
The movement was formally introduced to Guyana through the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness Organization (CADVA).
Last Monday’s event kicked off with a cocktail reception in honour of the International women’s rights activist. Persons were given an opportunity to have an intimate conversation with the writer. Ensler expressed her commitment to empowering women through her work. She noted that women’s empowerment is deeply connected to their sexuality.
Ensler said that when she wrote and performed the play ‘Vagina Monologues’ 18 years ago she never dreamt that it would become a global movement.
This movement, she said, has turned into a revolution and created awareness among “grass root women,” helping to bring an end to the culture of violence against women and girls around the world.
Ensler said that as a result of the movement, women across the world have also been inspired to be braver in their quest to create a safer violent-free society.
Ensler enacted portions of her book, which is based on conversations she had with over 200 women about sex, relationships and violence against women.
She said that society has to continually unite in the fight to end violence against women and girls.
Renowned American Playwright Eve Ensler during her entertaining dramatization of the Vagina Monologues.
The writer however, noted that men have an important role in ending this violence. “They are the strength in our society and often the aggressors in situations of violence. We need their support and strength as we continue our campaign to end violence.”
The artistic presentation dubbed ‘Let the women speak’, also featured songs, dance, poetry and other dramatic presentations from various local groups.
CADVA’s Programme Director and Regional Coordinator of the One Billion Rising Campaign, Dianne Madray, renewed her commitment to ensuring that issues affecting women remain on the front burner. Expressing her discontent at the manner in which issues of violence are being handled locally, Madray pledged her support to bring an end to the scourge.
“I am committed to keeping stories of those who had lost their lives as a result of violence alive for as long as possible.
“Women like Neesa Gopaul, Babita Sarjou, Ngozi Goodman… It is my commitment to see adequate DNA testing is done, so that these women and their families can have justice.”
This year activists around the world will be hosting activities under the theme “One Billion Rising for Justice in 2014.”
As part of the activities scheduled locally, Madray said that women from various groups/organisations are expected to gather on Sunday to participate in a walk for justice.
“We will continue this rising…This is the revolution so we’re gonna start from now. Everything happens for a reason, so we’re moving ahead with this and on Sunday we are gonna bring the women together and continue.”
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