Dr. Denis Mukwege of the Panzi Hospital in the DRC has been named winner of United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights for 2008. Read the press release below –
2008 marked V-Day’s 10th Anniversary – we celebrated in New Orleans where 40,000 people gathered in honor of the women of the Gulf South, thousands of V-Day benefits took place worldwide raising awareness and funds to end violence, and our Spotlight Campaign on Congo launched at a critical time.
It was an eventful year of hope and change, and all of us at V-Day are thankful for your support.
so here’s what i am grateful for –
v-days in antarctica
volunteers who flew themselves to the superdome to give free massage and make-overs, yoga and therapy for women from the storm
men who joined our cause and stood up to end violence against women and girls
dr. mukwege from congo who stands on the front lines every day and models a
different way of being a man
for v-day karama chair hibaaq osman for turning an idea into a powerful regional movement
all the v-activists and women’s studies teachers who kindly hosted me
on my tour who are directing, speaking, connecting, reaching out and growing this movement
the women of new orleans who opened their hearts and their city to v-day
the women of congo who dance in the face of horror
yanar in iraq who keeps going in spite of the insecurity
agnes in kenya who has changed her culture
to our supporters who give on every level and keep this movement alive
to the novo foundation who has made ending violence against women a priority
to the rockefeller foundation for giving so much to new orleans and the world
to our board who are simply the fiercest, smartest, most generous women
to all of you who responded to the call for the women of congo and sent your money and signed up for teach-ins
to liz mikel for stepping in at the last minute and ripping up the
stage
to all the actors and writers and performers and activists who brought
themselves to new orleans and gave their genius
for the women who brought the v-day: until the violence stops festival to their towns
and freed women prisoners
to the women of haiti who opened the first safe house in port au prince
and winnie and duncan in kenya who taught girls skills that saved their lives
to rada and all the young activists for bringing the former
yugoslavia together through vday
for christine for agreeing to direct v-day congo and city of joy
for our amazing partners in bukavu and goma
for esther for continuing to save women in juarez despite all odds
for asali for bringing her words to los angeles
to everyone involved, the writers, actors, director, funders involved
with swimming upstream and particularly carol bebelle
the katrina warrior network for making a safe vital space in the communities of the gulf south
to the v-day staff who work tirelessly with humor, grace and love to make it all happen
to all the groups we work in partnership with – too many to list – to all the great work you do – may our collaborations be deeper and stronger and more united and may more support be directed towards all our efforts
to all of you who have given your days, night, weekends, your commitment, your vision, devotion, who have brought your friends, your families, and your communities into v-world, who have become the leaders who are giving birth to more leaders, you are the change, you are the movement
who know we can end violence, war, we can end racism and economic
injustice
we can save the earth and return it and its resources to the people
we can empower women and make them safe
we can be free.
V TO THE TENTH Update
Special New Orleans Performance on November 18 in New Orleans for Ashe Cultural Center’s 10th Anniversary
Bukavu/Goma, South/North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, 22 September, 2008. On September 12th and 19th, in Goma and Bukavu respectively, for the first time in the Democratic Republic of Congo survivors of sexual violence publicly spoke out, breaking their silence. They did so as part of V-DAY and UNICEF’s global campaign: “Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource: Power to Women and Girls in DRC”. In front of government and UN officials, international delegates and civil society members, twelve women and two girls told their stories of rape and its impact on their lives. They issued a call to the world to put an end to the sexual violence that has ravaged and shamed them and hundreds of thousands of other women and girls in the DRC.
The women have courageously spoken out because they “don’t want any child of the next generation to have to live through what they have lived through.” And, as one survivor stated “I know that I have come forward today at my own peril, some people may want to kill me because of this. But I am ready to make this sacrifice, to die if necessary, if this will help put an end to rape in the DRC and save other women from this ordeal.”
Since 1996, sexual violence in the eastern DRC has been used to torture and humiliate women and girls and destroy families. UNICEF and V-DAY estimate that hundreds of thousands of women and girls have been raped since the conflict began in DRC. In addition to the severe psychological impact, sexual violence leaves many survivors with genital lesions, traumatic fistulae, severed and broken limbs, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and the survivors are regularly ostracized and abandoned by their families and communities.
Sexual violence in the eastern DRC continues at epidemic proportions with official UNFPA statistics indicating that in the two Kivu provinces alone, more than 3,500 women and girls have been raped in the first six months of 2008, which only reflect reported cases. The recent return to fighting in the past few weeks, particularly in North Kivu, is further heightening the risks of women and girls to being raped.
One of the women, Lumo Furaha, testified: “…. Over 50 armed men took me and another woman to the bush where they raped us over and over again. After, they pulled us like goats to the main road where they left us abandoned. Luckily, we were found by some men and eventually I was taken to the Goma hospital where I have had nine surgeries, but yet to be fixed. Now, despite not having recovered I am hoping for a brighter future. I hope telling my story will help give me that brighter future.” Zamuda, 50, told her story: “…. I don’t understand, the men did it with objects, it wasn’t from any physical desire. The only answer I have is that they wanted to destroy me; destroy my body and kill my spirit. I am speaking out because I don’t want any child of the next generation to have to live through what I have lived through.”
After hearing the women’s stories in Goma, the DRC Vice-Minister of Human Rights, Mr. Bazibuhe Nyamugabo Claude, stated “I would like to shake the hands of these courageous women. They have resolved to speak out and stop rape for everyone. There is a lot to do. I ask all to mobilize your intelligence, your finances, and your energy. The Republic that we want isn’t one where our women and girls are raped like this, where they feel they can not live.” With tears in his eyes, the South Kivu Governor, Louis Chirhimwami Muderhwa, asserted “We are all complicit in these attacks. They are happening here, around us. Every one of us needs to entirely devote ourselves to bring these atrocities to an end.”
The Humanitarian Coordinator of the United Nations in the DRC, Mr. Ross Mountain, remarked “It is very important that this global campaign was launched last year. Sexual violence in the DRC is one of the most important problems in the world. We have to all engage ourselves. We need a much larger support. We need actions a lot more targeted. The United Nations has recognized that sexual violence is a threat to peace and international security. All must put an end to the violence and support the DRC government to prioritize women and girls.”
Eve Ensler, founder of V-DAY and writer, made an impassioned plea: “These women coming forward have shown that survivors are refusing to wait any longer, that they want to speak for themselves, that they want to reclaim their dignity and power. May the courage of these women, who had the will to boldly break the silence, encourage thousands of others to come forward, to break their silence. May it fire a national and international movement of solidarity and passion and courage that is so strong that women take their rightful place as the honoured, the respected, the cherished, and the protected in Congolese society. May it bring peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
At the end of the events each survivor who spoke received a shawl embroidered with the inscription “I have survived! I can do anything!” and made a collective call to national and international authorities and the Congolese and international public to act with them to concretely and definitively end sexual violence in the DRC (see Annex for full text).
V-DAY and UNICEF advocate for an immediate cessation of hostilities, for all to ensure the protection and safety of women and girls, and remind all that sexual violence is classified as a war crime and crime against humanity.
For further information please contact:
Jaya Murthy, UNICEF Goma, +243 81 230 5933, jmurthy@unicef.org
Joyce Brandful, UNICEF Kinshasa, +243 81 884 6746, jbrandful@unicef.org
Susan Celia Swan, V-Day, +1 917 865 6603, press@vday.org
Change the story of women this Father’s Day and help V-Day celebrate its 10th anniversary year by giving your father a specially designed V-Card.
Your V-Gift will be put to work to end violence against women and girls, addressing the most critical issues facing women around the world.
A V-Card is the perfect gift. V-Cards arrive in time AND you will know that your gift is needed and will be well-used.
(Image is smaller than actual v-card; click to see full size)
V-Day distributes funds to grassroots, national and international organizations and programs that work to stop violence against women and girls around the world. 94 cents of every dollar you give goes straight to ending violence against women and girls. In over 120 countries and all fifty United States, V-Day campaigns and events raise funds and awareness. In (2001), V-Day was named one of Worth Magazine’s “100 Best Charities” and in (2006) was named one of Marie Claire’s “Top Ten Charities.”
To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $60 million and educated millions about the issues of violence against women and girls. Among our many inspiring projects and initiatives, V-Day has crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns; launched the Karama program in the Middle East; reopened shelters; and funded over 5000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq.
Violence against women affects one in three women in the US and the world, your tax deductible donation of $25, $50, $100, $500, or more will help V-Day end violence against women!
PLEASE NOTE:
Following the success of V-Day’s ten year anniversary events at the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena in April of this year, Eve Ensler traveled to Paris to receive the prestigious “Medaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris” by Deputy Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, Deputy Mayor in Charge of Equality Between Men and Women, Fatima Lalem and Deputy Mayor in Charge of Culture, Christophe Girard.
The prestigious ceremony was followed by a sold out V-Day France benefit production of The Vagina Monologues at Théâtre Michel in Paris. Starring world renowned female writers and actresses and special guest Valérie Letard, Minister for Solidarity of Paris, the show was directed by Stéphanie Bataille who recently appeared in V TO THE TENTH, at the New Orleans Arena and starred Isabelle Aubret, Nicole Avril, Bataille, Victoria Bedos, Emmanuelle Boidron, Geneviève Brisac, Nicole Calfan, Florence Cestac, Noëlle Châtelet, Eva Darlan, Mélanie Decourt, Sonia Dubois, Laurence Faron, Séverine Ferrer, Pierrette Fleutiaux, Emilie Frèche, Gabou, Leïla Ghandi, Maïmouna Gueye ,Anne-Sophie Guittard, Natacha Henry, Nancy Huston, Marie-Christine Imbault, Colette Kerber, Vénus Khoury-Gata, Camille Laurens, Françoise Nyssen, Christine Orban, Isabelle Rattier, Moïra Sauvage, Agnès Vincent-Deray and Maryse Wolinski.
As with the over 4000 V-Day benefit productions that have taken place in 2008, all proceeds from the play will be donated to a local beneficiary working to end violence against women and girls. This production benefited ALC Nice, a non-profit organization founded in 1913 to assist survivors of human trafficking www.association-alc.org
Following this extraordinary event, Eve along with V-Day France representatives Marie Cécie Renauld and Stéphanie Bataille, met with V-Day activist Fadela Amara, Secretary of State for urban planning to the Ministry in Paris. Fadela, the former President of “ Ni Putes Ni Soumises” (“Neither Whores Nor Submissives”) was part of a V-Day France 2003 www.niputesnisoumises.com
“I hope that by the end of this song all the men in the room are singing along with me. If men’s voices can be brought into this movement, we can begin to turn some of these monologues into dialogues. I sing this song as the voice of a child who didn’t understand the hatred in Selma that he saw on television and the voice of a man who doesn’t understand the violence in the Congo that he reads about in the newspaper.”
Peter Buffett is graciously offering the download of “Can We love” free of charge to help raise awareness to end violence against women and girls.
New Orleans, LA – V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, salutes the V TO THE TENTH sponsors and supporters. V TO THE TENTH opened minds and hearts and raised much needed attention and funds for groups working to end violence against women and girls around the world, and in New Orleans and the Gulf South.
V-Day’s 10th anniversary events – V TO THE TENTH – took place Friday – Saturday, April 11-12 at the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena. Over the two days, the Superdome was transformed into SUPERLOVE – a place to heal, gather, celebrate and activate to change the story of women. A star-studded performance closed the two-day celebration with V TO THE TENTH, Saturday evening, April 12. Together on one stage – Calpernia Addams, Lilia Aragon, Stéphanie Bataille, Jennifer Beals, Ilene Chaiken, Didi Conn, Rosario Dawson, Jane Fonda, Alexandra Hedison, Kristen Krepela, Christine Lahti, Ali Larter, Liz Mikel, Doris Roberts, Daniela Sea, Leslie Townsend, Kerry Washington and Monique Wilson joined V-Day for a once in a lifetime benefit event featuring performances of The Vagina Monologues, plus very special musical performances by Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Peter Buffett, Charmaine Neville and the Voices of New Orleans Gospel Choir Directed by Rev. Lois Dejean. The event was a benefit for groups working to end violence against women worldwide, and in the Gulf South region.
V-Day’s anniversary events were made possible by the generous support of the NoVo Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. Corporate sponsors include W Hotels New Orleans, TBWA/CHIAT/DAY Los Angeles, Vosges Haut Chocolate and media sponsors Oprah & Friends Radio, GLAMOUR, BUST and Ode.
V-Day would like to thank the New Orleans community for welcoming, embracing and collaborating with V-Day to make the Tenth Anniversary events exceptional, life-altering experiences. V-Day stands beside you through the rebuilding and beyond. V-Day is grateful for the support of Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu and his staff, The City of New Orleans and Mayor C. Ray Nagin. V-Day would also like to thank the hundreds of volunteers who gave their time, talent and expertise with love and enthusiasm, making V-Day’s vision of V TO THE TENTH possible.
V-Day would especially like to thank the Katrina Warriors Network, with special thanks to founding members Carol Bebelle, Karel Sloane-Boekbinder and Crystal Kile. The Katrina Warriors Network is advised and mediated by a Katrina Warriors Council representative of Network participants and V-Day is deeply grateful for their commitment to the Network and V TO THE TENTH. V-Day thanks Linda Usdin and the Katrina Warriors Network Outreach Coordinators Sarah Franz, Shana Griffin, Rev. Lois Dejean, Barbara Lacen-Keller and Colette Pichon-Battle for their dedication and commitment to bringing the women of the Gulf South and New Orleans together to celebrate with us at V TO THE TENTH. And a deep, warm thank you to Jennifer Sachs for coordinating all activities in New Orleans surrounding V TO THE TENTH.
Additional sponsors and supporters of V TO THE TENTH and SUPERLOVE include the Ford Foundation; Donna Karan Foundation; Barbara Bridges; Oxfam America; L’Oréal Paris USA; Tides Foundation and Council Member Shelley Midura. SUPERLOVE Lounge Sponsors included Authentic Beauty; Magnet; The Urban Zen Foundation; Karma Krew; Roy Teeluck Salon; Lisa Caccavale; Matrix; Louis Licari; Victoria’s Secret Beauty; Gaiam; Young Living Essential Oils and Nexxus.
“V To The Tenth” Events To Take Place Friday – Saturday, April 11-12, 2008
At The New Orleans Arena And Louisiana Superdome
Featuring
Salma Hayek, Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Jessica Alba, Glenn Close, Ali Larter, Julia Stiles, Sally Field, Marisa Tomei, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, Didi Conn, Christine Lahti, Calpernia Addams, & Musicians Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Common, Eve, Charmaine Neville
Superlove To Offer Two Days Of Art, Performance, Speakers, And Wellness At The Superdome
Regional Community Groups Come Together As The “Katrina Warriors Network”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Susan Celia Swan/Kate Fisher
(415) 814-3031, press at v-day dot org
V-DAY 10th ANNIVERSARY UPDATE
FAITH HILL, JESSICA ALBA, SALLY FIELD AND ALI LARTER JOIN V-DAY’S “V TO THE TENTH” EVENT IN NEW ORLEANS SATURDAY EVENING, APRIL 12, 2008 AT NEW ORLEANS ARENA
The Saturday Evening Benefit Will Feature A Star Studded 10th Anniversary Performance Of The Vagina Monologues, A New Monologue Performed By Oprah Winfrey,
Plus Musical Guests Faith Hill, Common, Eve And Charmaine Neville
V-DAY ANNOUNCES SUPERLOVE – TWO DAYS OF SPEAKERS, ART, AND PERFORMANCE AT THE SUPERDOME FRIDAY – SATURDAY APRIL 11-12
***SUPERLOVE TICKET FREE WITH TICKET PURCHASE TO THE APRIL 12 EVENING EVENT AT NEW ORLEANS ARENA ***
V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, announced today the latest performers and the full schedule of events for its mega two-day 10th anniversary celebration in New Orleans Friday – Saturday, April 11-12 at the New Orleans Arena and Louisiana Superdome. Founded by playwright Eve Ensler in 1998 at the first benefit of her award winning play The Vagina Monologues, the global non profit has raised over $50 million for local anti violence groups with benefit events taking place in over 120 countries to date.
Faith Hill, Jessica Alba, Sally Field and Ali Larter have joined the list of performers for V TO THE TENTH on Saturday, April 12 at the New Orleans Arena. They will join Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Hudson, Jane Fonda, Glenn Close, Rosario Dawson, Julia Stiles, Kerry Washington, Calpernia Addams, and musicians Common, Eve, and Charmaine Neville at the once in a lifetime benefit event featuring international performances of The Vagina Monologues, a special new monologue written by Eve Ensler and performed by Oprah Winfrey, plus musical performances by Faith Hill, Common, Eve, and New Orleans own Charmaine Neville. *
Arena tickets are on sale now, $25-1000, at vday.org/tickets. The event is a benefit and will raise funds for groups ending violence against women worldwide, and in the Gulf South region.
Also today, V-Day announced the schedule for SUPERLOVE – Friday and Saturday, April 11-12. Over the two days, the Superdome will be transformed into SUPERLOVE – a place to heal, gather, celebrate and activate to change the story of women. From 10am-9pm Friday and 10am-5pm Saturday, SUPERLOVE will feature two days of revolutionary speakers, slam poets, singers, performers, storytelling, astounding art, and love. Special wellness programs will be available free of charge for the women of the Gulf South including restorative yoga, medical testing, makeovers, and more.
Tickets to SUPERLOVE are free with the purchase of a ticket to the April 12, Saturday evening event at the New Orleans Arena. Visit vday.org/tickets.
Speakers, performers and artists from New Orleans and the Gulf South will be featured along with speakers traveling to New Orleans from over all over the world. Among the over 75 speaking and performing at SUPERLOVE are Ashe Cultural Center’s Carol Bebelle, Founder of the V-Day Safe House in Kenya Agnes Pareyio, Jennifer Buffet and Peter Buffet of the NoVo Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation head Judith Rodin, Panzi Hospital’s Dr. Denis Mukwege, Matt Petersen, Global Green, actor Amber Tamlyn, Majora Carter, Sustainable South Bronx, Stephen Lewis, AIDS-Free World and former Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Suze Orman, financial expert, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, former president of Spellman College, spoken word poet Suheir Hammad, writer Mark Matousek, and many more. For the full schedule and list of participants, visit vday.org/superlove.
WHY NEW ORLEANS?
For 2008, V-Day’s Spotlight is on the women of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Leading up to April, thousands of V-Day benefits worldwide will highlight the daily ongoing work of women in their communities who have steadfastly kept New Orleans and the Gulf South alive with little to no resources. These women – “Katrina Warriors” – will be honored for their strength and resilience in the face of devastating loss. The spotlight will bring global attention and funds so that women may be safe and empowered in a region whose pulse beats like no other.
“V to the Tenth will celebrate our victories and usher in the next ten years where together we will raise the stakes, go further, go deeper, increase the power and CHANGE THE STORY OF WOMEN. What happened in New Orleans and the Gulf South after the flood and storm represents the challenges that women face worldwide- violence, global warming, racism, lack of healthcare and education, financial insecurity, and the failure of local and national governments. All these are pieces of the story of violence that continues to impact women in the United States and around the world. V to the Tenth is a celebration, it is the call, the decision, the next step,” stated V-Day Founder/Artistic Director Eve Ensler.
V TO THE TENTH will open minds and hearts and raise much needed attention and funds for groups working to end violence against women and girls around the world, and in New Orleans and the Gulf South.
About V-Day
V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls that raises funds and awareness through benefit productions of Playwright/Founder Eve Ensler’s award winning play The Vagina Monologues. In 2008, more than 3500 V-Day events will take place in the U.S. and around the world. To date, the V-Day movement has raised over $50 million and educated millions about the issue of violence against women and the efforts to end it, crafted international educational, media and PSA campaigns, launched the Karama program in the Middle East, reopened shelters, and funded over 5000 community-based anti-violence programs and safe houses in Democratic Republic Of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, South Dakota, Egypt and Iraq. The ‘V’ in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine and Vagina. http://www.vday.org
* Pending scheduling