V-Day

29 Apr V-Day Announces Maya Penn, Chela Mitchell, and Luke Ferrari as College Judges for Dismantle Patriarchy Contest

Posted at 11:16h in One Billion Rising, V-Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, April 21, 2022 V-Day Announces Maya Penn, Chela Mitchell, and Luke Ferrari as College Judges for Dismantle Patriarchy Contest Deadline for Dismantle Patriarchy Contest’s College Submissions Extended to May 5, 2022 Renowned Artists and Activists Will Evaluate Submissions From College Students Who Challenge Patriarchy Through Art, Music, Other Creative Forms Today, the global activist movement to end violence against women, girls, and the planet, V-Day, announced a new committee of judges for the college division of their Dismantle Patriarchy Contest. The judges include award-winning environmental activist, CEO and author, Maya Penn, artist and creative advisor Chela Mitchell, and actor, dancer,...

14 Apr “The girls I taught in Kabul were Afghanistan’s future. The Taliban has taken that away.”

Posted at 08:36h in One Billion Rising, V-Day

– New Piece in The Guardian by Shikiba, a Teacher at City of Knowledge Photo: Afghan teachers protest against the Taliban’s closure of classes to older girls. Photograph: EPA/The Guardian As we RISE for the Bodies of All Women, Girls & the Earth and activate worldwide, we continue to find ways to RISE for and with the women of Afghanistan, to share the reality of life on the ground, and ways we can directly help. Written for The Guardian by Shikiba, a former teacher at the now closed City of Knowledge, an education centre in Kabul for girls and women supported by V-Day, her...

01 Apr What’s Happening With Bail Reform in New York

Posted at 16:06h in Dispatches from Beyond Incarceration, V-Day

I had the opportunity to go to the New York state capitol in Albany three times in March with Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) to urge lawmakers not to sign onto Governor Hochul's plan to push back bail reform. It is appalling that she wants to implement the passage of her 10-point public safety plan into the budget with bail reform and rollbacks as a caveat. This controversial safety plan and budget is an insult to all advocates and activists who have diligently worked to protect the most marginalized people in our city over the past decades. [caption id="attachment_48480" align="alignright" width="320"]...

29 Mar WE STAND WITH THE WOMEN AND GIRLS OF UKRAINE AS REPORTS MOUNT OF RAPE AS A WEAPON OF WAR

Posted at 17:48h in One Billion Rising, V-Day

V-Day and One Billion Rising stand in solidarity with the millions of Ukrainian women and girls who are being made more vulnerable to sexual violence in the face of Russia’s invasion and as reports grow of rape being used as weapon of war. The Ukrainian government is calling on the international community to investigate instances of rape and other forms of sexual abuse by Russian soldiers as both are considered war crimes that break international law. As reported in The New York Times, “Russian forces and Moscow-backed armed groups have been accused of perpetrating sexual violence in other conflicts — most recently involving...

28 Mar ONE BILLION RISING statement: Ethiopia End war and sexual violence against women and girls in Tigray!

Posted at 17:57h in One Billion Rising, V-Day

(Reposted from onebillionrising.org) We call on the world to pay attention to the suffering of women and girls in Tigray, Ethiopia. Women and girls in Tigray are targeted for rape and sexual violence by fighting forces. Troops Militia rape, abduct women and girls in Tigray conflict. This is according to a report released by Amnesty International in August 2021. Democracy in Africa seems to be regressing as conflict ravages different parts of the continent and causes the collapse of democratic institutions, economic and social infrastructure and creates a fertile environment for the violation of human rights with impunity. We have noted with...

15 Mar Playing and listening to music is a crime

Posted at 10:17h in V-Day

Since the Taliban assumed power in 2021, they have consistently launched attacks, harassed, and threatened our singers and musicians. They have destroyed and burned numerous musical instruments, deeming music to be contrary to Islamic principles. These actions have brutally silenced the voices of these artists and stifled their extraordinary talents. I tried my best to communicate with one of our musicians living in Afghanistan, who is enduring a very challenging existence. Unfortunately, I was unable to convince them to speak out, as they have faced severe intimidation from the Taliban, who have sternly prohibited them from playing music, singing, discussing their...

26 Feb We Celebrate Black History Month

Posted at 22:05h in One Billion Rising, V-Day

(Reposted from onebillionrising.org) This Black History Month we celebrate the courageous, creative and visionary Black activists who make up our movement to end violence against all women and girls and the planet. Each and every day, they push boundaries, build community and create the most astounding art. Featured are Aimee Allison, Dara Baldwin, Massaran Bibi, Essowèdéou Armande Blakime, Cecila Brenda, Ted Bunch, Christine Schuler Deschryver, Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, Lucinda Evans, Irene Garoës, Colani Hlatjwako, Alice Kachere, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Josina Z. Machel, Isata Mahoi, Libakiso Matlho, aja monet, Queen Mosarwe, Dr. Denis Mukwege, Ndioro Ndiaye, Vickenzie Gifty Ofei, Agnes Pareyio, Tony...