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Recaps from Recent Events

12/17/2009

Recaps from Recent Events:

A View From Pakistan

In November, Eve traveled to Pakistan for a premiere production of A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer in Islamabad, produced, directed, and organized by longtime V-Day activist and original V-Day Pakistan organizer Nighat Imran Rizvi. Nighat is founder of AMAL a youth-focused HIV/ AIDS action group that is one of the most visible advocates for prevention, treatment and awareness in Pakistan. AMAL, which means action in Urdu, is part of a network of 1,200 non-governmental and community-based organizations, engaging with a number of important related issues in the course of tackling the HIV/AIDS problem.

Read Nighat's update on the visit >

V-Day Meets with European Parliament

On November 24, Eve Ensler and V-Day Congo and City of Joy Director Christine Deschryver were invited by a group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from across the political spectrum, to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, to talk about V-Day's recent work and to discuss ways to work together to end violence against women both in Europe and globally. Twelve MEPs, a number of assistants and political advisers joined the organizers, Eve and Christine to discuss V-Day's approach, and in particular the spotlight campaign "Stop Raping our Greatest Resource: Power to the Women and Girls in DRC."

The present MEPs, including two men, reiterated their strong commitment to ending violence against women, and discussed how they, as elected representatives, can use upcoming opportunities to hold the EU accountable for implementing existing political commitments and policies. They also discussed ways to demand further action. The group enthusiastically discussed the possibility of organizing a V-Day performance of The Vagina Monologues at the European Parliament. V-Day will continue to follow up with the European Parliament on the ideas for action that came out of the meeting. Updates to follow!

Photo: left to right: 24 November 2009, European Parliament, Strasbourg. Eve Ensler (second from left) with Sophie in 't Veld MEP (Netherlands), Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP (UK), Leonidas Donskis MEP (Lithuania) and Gesine Meissner MEP (Germany).

Second Annual Women of Congo Event in NYC Raises Money For City of Joy

On October 20, Women Of Congo, a group of dedicated and passionate New York based activists, held their second annual Women of Congo Benefit event for survivors of sexual violence in the Congo, raising $123,000. Eve Ensler and V-Day Managing Director Susan Swan, along with Actor/Activist Whoopi Goldberg, UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman, singer Madeleine Peyroux, New York Times journalist Jeffrey Gettleman and many more showed up at the W Manhattan Hotel to support and raise funds for the women and girls of the DRC. Funds raised from the event will support the City of Joy, a special facility currently being built in Bukavu, DRC by V-Day and UNICEF in partnership with the Panzi Foundation. The City of Joy will support women to heal and provide them with opportunities to develop their leadership through programming in: group therapy; storytelling; dance; theater; self-defense; comprehensive sexuality education (covering HIV/AIDS, family planning); ecology and horticulture; and economic empowerment.

V-Day would like to thank the Women of Congo committee for their incredible support and activism. We would especially like to thank Jen Williams, Stacey Breckling, Tara Taylor, Allison Waguespack and Kelli O'Donnell for making this event such a huge success!

VOTE for Women of Congo for the MySpace Impact Award and $10,000 prize for City of Joy!

'Man Up' Campaign Call For Applications

V-Day is proud to be supporting Man Up, an international campaign that mobilizes young leaders in a movement to stop violence against women and girls that was founded by activist/author and V-Men Outreach Advisor Jimmie Briggs.

Man Up's call to action challenges the next generation to "man up" -- whether they are male or female -- and declare that violence against women and girls must end. Harnessing the universal power of music, sport and technology, Man Up provides innovative training, resources and support to young leaders and the human rights organizations that collaborate with them. Man Up is proud to announce the call for applications to their Young Leaders Summit. This inaugural event will be held in summer 2010 on the occasion of the World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa.

To be eligible, applicants must be age 18-30 and live in any of the 50 Man Up countries. Four delegates per country will attend the summit together with renowned human rights leaders, educators, artists and athletes. The working language will be English.

For more information, VISIT http://manupcampaign.org/

APPLY: http://manupcampaign.org/index.php?option=com_civicrm&view=Profiles&Itemid=77

GIVE THE GIFT OF V-DAY

It's not too late to support the movement to end violence against women and girls this holiday season. Check out our V-Gifts for the Holidays where we have a variety of gift ideas that are perfect for your friends and loved ones!

Click here for V-Gift Ideas >

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