NEWS & BLOG

28 Nov

Posted at 10:52h in V-Day

These past weeks of non-stop news surrounding the Epstein files have deeply impacted countless survivors. Our founder, author and activist V (formerly Eve Ensler), speaks directly into this moment in her latest piece for The Guardian: "If Epstein’s survivors don’t receive justice that is a ticking timebomb: Millions of sexual violence survivors will not live a day longer with this torturous injustice." V writes: "Once you have been raped you have an aura, a stamp of brokenness that until you have begun to heal, constantly attracts more abusers who can smell your vulnerability and do their best to exploit it. It...

24 Nov

Posted at 19:46h in Newsletter, One Billion Rising, V-Day

One Billion Rising Theme for 2026 is Announced Today (25 Nov) on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the first day of 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM, we announce the 2026 theme as an invitation to survivors, artists and activists everywhere to RISE in 2026. The 2026 theme RISE FOR OUR BODIES, OUR FUTURE, OUR EARTH was inspired by feedback from global coordinators and rising activists worldwide and drafted by the One Billion Rising Council at their annual meeting. One Billion Rising is the largest global campaign to stop violence against women, gender expansive people, and the Earth....

30 Oct

Posted at 14:16h in Dear Everything, Newsletter, V-Day

On the heels of its first tour, Dear Everything: A Musical Uprising for the Earth is coming to BAM in NYC on Earth Day (April 22) 2026 – featuring the iconic Jane Fonda in the role of narrator. "I am honored to have the opportunity to stand on the BAM stage, alongside these powerful performers to bring Dear Everything to New York. Our planet is burning from human-made climate catastrophe, and we need to join together to confront this," she adds. "Dear Everything is about the power of solidarity and it gives us the anthems we need for the job."– Jane...

29 Oct

Posted at 13:58h in Dispatches from Beyond Incarceration, One Billion Rising, V-Day

From August 26th to the 31st, I had the incredible opportunity to facilitate a transformative training session at the Mariandale Retreat Center in Ossining, New York. This experience was not only a professional milestone but also a deeply personal journey, especially as I worked with 21 formerly incarcerated women—some of whom I’ve known for years and have lived alongside during my 39 years of incarceration. The combination of shared history and the serene environment created a powerful atmosphere for healing and growth. The Mariandale Retreat Center Mariandale Dominican Sisters retreat center nestled in the picturesque Hudson Valley, is a hidden gem...

22 Oct

Posted at 18:05h in Dear Everything, Newsletter, V-Day

Next stop, BAM in NYC Photos: Donna Permell (Atlanta), Alexander Tamargo/Getty (Miami), Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty (Los Angeles), Brandon Cruz (Salt Lake City) Endless gratitude to our cast, creatives, crew, youth council, activists, choirs, funders, host committees, everyone at V-Day and ART, and the audiences who made it all possible! Dear Everything was created to be theater for the people! 4 CITIES, 3000 PEOPLE, 18 CLIMATE GROUPS FUNDED To the creative team behind this piece, V (formerly Eve Ensler), Diane Paulus, Justin Tranter, Caroline Pennell, Eren Cannata, Idina Menzel, and Daniel Crean. To our cast (Terence Archie, Brittany Campbell, Luke Ferrari, Paravi, Crystal Monee Hall, Laurel Harris,...

26 Aug

Posted at 08:00h in Newsletter, One Billion Rising, V-Day

In honor of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Ashé Cultural Arts Center will produce Swimming Upstream: The Katrina Monologues at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. This powerful stage production shares the true stories of women navigating the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita—stories of survival, displacement, return, and transformation—through spoken word, song, and movement. Originally produced by Carol Bebelle and playwright V (formerly Eve Ensler) in partnership with V-Day and the Ashé Cultural Arts Center, Swimming Upstream was first performed at the Superdome in 2008 to honor the women of New Orleans and the Gulf South post Katrina, in a celebration...

14 Aug

Posted at 15:30h in Newsletter, One Billion Rising, V-Day

On the fourth anniversary of the 2021 Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, we stand with the women – and all vulnerable groups – of Afghanistan against imperialism, militarism, fundamentalism, and fascism. Since 2021, the Taliban has targeted women, destroying their right to education, autonomy, and the most fundamental human rights. Women and girls in Afghanistan can no longer attend school, they’re banned from almost all jobs, including medical training, and are banned from most public spaces. Girls are forced into child marriage and face a devastating mental health crisis. The female suicide rate in Afghanistan remains among the highest in the world. We...

14 Aug

Posted at 14:06h in Afghan Women Speak: Stories from Inside Afghanistan, Afghanistan, One Billion Rising, V-Day

This month will mark the 4th anniversary of the Taliban’s domination of Afghanistan. For many, Afghanistan’s crisis is an "old story." It is not breaking news anymore, not exciting enough for headlines, because our country has been in conflict for more than four decades, used again and again as a proxy battleground for the interests of powerful nations. In August 2021, after 20 years of NATO and international presence in the name of “fighting terrorism,” the fate of our people was once again handed to the Taliban. Through a signed agreement, they were effectively reinstalled. Since that day, they have stripped...

08 Aug

Posted at 12:12h in Press Releases, V-Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis | [email protected], [email protected] Alex Cutler | Lauren Duffy I Mariam Ahmed DEAR EVERYTHING A MUSICAL UPRISING FOR THE EARTH ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL DATE FOR U.S. TOUR SEPTEMBER 25 IN ATLANTA PRODUCED BY V-DAY IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER WRITTEN BY TONY AWARD WINNER V (FORMERLY EVE ENSLER) DIRECTED BY TONY AWARD WINNER DIANE PAULUS MUSIC BY GRAMMY NOMINEE JUSTIN TRANTER, CAROLINE PENNELL & EREN CANNATA LYRICS BY JUSTIN TRANTER, CAROLINE PENNELL AND V (FORMERLY EVE ENSLER) WITH CONTRIBUTIONS BY TONY AWARD WINNER IDINA MENZEL ORCHESTRATIONS BY DANIEL CREAN Tour Kicks Off at The Eastern In Atlanta, GA and will Travel To Miami, Los Angeles and...

07 Aug

Posted at 20:03h in Afghan Women Speak: Stories from Inside Afghanistan, One Billion Rising, V-Day

For more than forty years, Afghanistan has been the battleground for proxy wars, exploited by global and regional powers at the expense of its people. This long history of conflict has left the country devastated — physically, economically, and emotionally. Entire generations have grown up in war, poverty, and displacement, deprived of the basic right to live in dignity. Yet the suffering of Afghans has not been limited to within their borders. Throughout these four decades, neighboring countries, especially Iran, have treated Afghan refugees with ongoing cruelty and discrimination. Sadly, this has remained a largely ignored and unspoken issue on the international...