"'I
just don't get that attitude that 'vagina' is a dirty word', says Ensler.
''Rape' and 'plutonium' and 'acid rain' are dirty words, and yet they're
on the front page everyday'. Much more than an anatomy lesson, 'The
Vagina Monologues' asks why this organ of pleasure should create so
much shame and bemoans the fact that women lose their self-esteem and
confidence when they're taught to deny their desires. Besides listening
to how women feel about their most intimate body part, the play includes
horrifying tales of sexual abuse, touching accounts of older women who've
never ventured 'down there,' shocking vagina facts and the often hilarious
names people have come up with for their genitals." -BOSTON HERALD, 3/16/01
V-Day
is a global movement that helps anti-violence organizations throughout
the world continue and expand their core work while drawing public
attention to the larger fight to stop worldwide violence (including
rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual slavery)
against women and girls.
Did you know?
-Somewhere in America a woman is battered, usually by her intimate partner, every 15 seconds. (United Nations Study on the Status of Women, 2000)
-More than 130 million girls and women worldwide have been subjected to female genital cutting, and a further two million girls are at risk. (World Health Organization, 1997)
-From 1993-1998, women ages 16 to 24 experienced the highest per capita rates of intimate violence (19.6 per 1,000 women). ("Intimate Partner Violence," Bureau of Justice Statistics, May 2000)
-Domestic violence occurs in approximately 25-33% of same-sex relationships. (NYC Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, October 1996)
Who?, What?, When?
V-Day is also a day (on or around Valentine's Day in February), for which annual theatrical and artistic events are produced around the world to transform consciousness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. Each year, V-Day promotes a series of innovative productions, events and initiatives that are identified collectively as V-Day and the year (i.e. V-Day 2001, V-Day 2002, V-Day 2003).
Since its launch in 1998, V-Day has awarded close to $4 million to grassroots, national and international organizations and programs that work to stop violence against women and girls. The money comes from commercial performances of "The Vagina Monologues," individuals, corporations, foundations and product sales. Awardees are chosen and funds are distributed annually, in or around the month of February.
What are "The Vagina Monologues"?
Hailed by The New York Times as "funny" and "poignant" and by the Daily News as "intelligent" and "courageous," "The Vagina Monologues" dives into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement buried in women's experiences. Based on interviews with a diverse group of hundreds of women - from a Long Island antiques dealer to a Bosnian refugee - "The Vagina Monologues" brazenly explores questions often pondered, but seldom asked.
Ms.
Ensler has performed the play to great acclaim throughout the world
- from Zagreb to Santa Barbara, from London to Seattle, from Jerusalem
to Oklahoma City. Villard Books/Random House published "The Vagina
Monologues," which includes a foreword by Gloria Steinem, in February
1998. A special V-Day edition of the play, including two new sections
about the College Campaign, was released in February 2001.