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Turning Pain to Power Tour continues in Europe!

3/31/2009

Turning Pain to Power Tour continues in Europe!

Eve continues spreading the word with stops in London; Paris, Montepelier, & Brest, France; and Zagreb. Following is a report from London via Lynne Franks, Chair, British Committee of Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource: Power to Women and Girls of DRC.

Women of Influence Lunch in London features the Prime Minister's wife Sarah Brown; Congolese activist Marie-Claire Faray-Kele, and Eve

An incredible explosion of energy, commitment and activity happened on March 19 when a group of highly influential British women came together at the bastion of the old establishment, the House of Lords in London, to learn about the horrific situation of the sexual violence against women and girls of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The first of a series of high-profile events instigated by Eve across Europe, the strictly women-only lunch included a talk by guest speaker the Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown; an introduction by Eve to V-Day's film of her work with the women of the City of Joy in the Congo and a passionate and inspirational speech by Marie-Claire Faray-Kele, a Congolese activist based in the UK.

Among the many high-profile women at the lunch were actress Thandie Newton; activist, actress and producer Trudie Styler; actress and writer Meera Syal; authors Ruth Rendell and Kathy Lette; top women politicians; broadcasters; business women and activists.

For many, it was the first time they had been made aware of the terrible regime of violence that has been inflicted upon the women and girls of the DRC and all became united in working towards a UK and global campaign to create awareness of the situation and put political pressure on governments to ensure it is stopped.

As Marie-Claire Faray pointed out, "if it can happen in the Congo, it can happen anywhere and it is time for women of the world to unite in sisterhood and ensure it is stopped."

The British Committee are now in the process of planning a two-year awareness campaign that will result in international economic and political pressure to prevent this outrage.
- Lynne Franks

200th Performance of The Vagina Monologues Raises Funds and Awareness in Mumbai, India

March 25 marked the 200th performance of The Vagina Monologues in Mumbai at the Tata Theatre. The V-Day benefit event raised funds for three groups working towards ending violence against women and girls, including the Center for Vulnerable Women and Children in Dharavi, the second largest slum in the world, which provides medical and legal aid to survivors of violence. The play was directed by acclaimed theater producers and V-Day activists Mahabanoo and Kaizaad Kotwal and highlighted V-Day's 2009 Spotlight Campaign STOP RAPING OUR GREATEST RESOURCE: POWER TO THE WOMEN AND GIRLS OF THE DRC.

The evening featured special performances by renowned actors. Farhan Akhar and Sandeep Soparkar put together a dance depicting the life, sorrow and pain experienced by Haseena Hussain, a survivor of an acid attack and an outspoken activist who is raising awareness about Acid Burnings and other forms of violence against women in India. Imran Khan ended the program with a men's monologue from A Memory, Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer. The event also welcomed special guests music composer Shankar Mahadevan and co-director of Slumdog Millionaire Lovleen Tandon. Tandon read the V-Day 2009 Spotlight monologue Baptized written by Eve, and a special message from her.

The evening ended with Vishaal Asrani singing Jai Ho! - this year's Oscar-winner for Best Song (from Slumdog Millionaire) which sent the audience out into the night empowered and galvanized to join the movement to end violence against women and girls.

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NEW Congo T-Shirt Now Available Online!

The shirt debuted during V-Day's five city 'TURNING PAIN TO POWER TOUR' featuring Eve and Dr. Denis Mukwege.

The shirts raise awareness about the V-Day and UNICEF joint campaign STOP RAPING OUR GREATEST RESOURCE: POWER TO THE WOMEN AND GIRLS OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Shirts are black sheer jersey combed ring spun cotton with cap sleeve and red, white and green screen print. They are made in U.S. and are 100% Organic.

To purchase the shirt in either ladies fitted or UNISEX, please click here.

Add your voice to the V-Wall for Congo and show your support!

Join over one thousand women and men and ADD YOUR VOICE to V-Day's V-WALL FOR CONGO! Sign up is quick and easy! Sign up now and leave a message of hope, empowerment, change and victory. Let the women of the DRC know they are not forgotten.

Join Us On the Wall Now >

Don't Miss V-Board Member Jane Fonda on Broadway!

See V-Day Board member Jane Fonda in the critically acclaimed 33 Variations. The New York Times says "Fonda is elegant, heartbreaking, and fierce" and New York Magazine says the show is "not to be missed." For a special discount tickets CLICK HERE and for more information visit www.33variations.com

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