Violence Against Women In Iraq Continues
3/19/2008
5 YEARS ON - VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN IRAQ CONTINUES
Wednesday, March 19, 2008, marked the fifth year anniversary of the U.S invasion and occupation of Iraq. In the past five years, hundreds of thousands of women, men and children have been killed, with millions more left with the physical and emotional scars of war. Incidents of sexual violence, honor killings, sex slavery and torture are at an all time high, with perpetrators operating with virtual impunity.
Yanar Mohammad, Founder of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq (OWFI), said recently in an interview, "The war made hundreds of women to lose their soul and dignity. Our lives have turned into a very delicate situation where being victims of violence isn't important. We have to fight against this sad reality...."
As we move into the sixth year of war, it is important to continue to fight for an end to the brutal violence being perpetrated against the women of Iraq. It is important to continue to educate ourselves and others about these atrocities and to make our voices heard that this level of violence and death is not acceptable.
You can join Yanar in New Orleans where she will be taking part in a panel entitled FROM NEW ORLEANS TO THE WORLD: WOMEN IN CONFLICT ZONES at V-Day's SUPERLOVE on Friday April 11. The panel will discuss women in Conflict Zones and disaster sites and will also include Carol Bebelle of New Orleans, Rada Boric of Bosnia, Christine Schuler Deschryver of Congo, Zoya of Afghanistan and Monique Wilson from the Philippines.
SALMA HAYEK ON COVER OF GLAMOUR, INTERVIEW BY EVE
V-Day board member and V TO THE TENTH performer Salma Hayek graces the cover of this month's GLAMOUR Magazine. In a candid interview with Eve Ensler, Hayek discusses her role as V-Day activist, the connection between art and activism, and being a mother.
"In the six years I've been involved, I've seen V-Day grow from a play into a movement. I have performed monologues in many V-Days and am now a board member, helping to raise money and consciousness at fund-raisers. I am involved because I want women to know, in their dark hour, they are not alone. When they think nobody loves them or they're disposable, or that it's OK to die under those circumstances because they're not important, I want them to know people care."
The April edition of GLAMOUR also features a 3 page photo shoot with Eve Ensler, and V TO THE TENTH performers Kerry Washington, Rosario Dawson, Ali Later, V-Day supporter Jessica Alba.
Pick up your copy on newsstands today!
Click here to read Eve's full interview with Salma Hayek
INTERNATIONAL PERFORMERS JOIN THE CAST OF V TO THE TENTH!
V-Day is proud to announce that Lilia Aragon of Mexico, Stephanie Bataille of France, Monique Wilson of the Phillipines and Kristina Krepela of Bosnia have joined the cast of V TO THE TENTH in New Orleans, April 12, 2008 at the New Orleans Arena.
They join Salma Hayek, Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Glenn Close, Ali Larter, Julia Stiles, Calpernia Addams, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, Didi Conn, Christine Lahti and musical performances by Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, and New Orleans own Charmaine Neville. *
Tickets are on sale now, $25, $50, $125, $250, $500, and $1000, at vday.org/tickets. The event is a benefit and will raise funds for groups ending violence against women worldwide, and in the Gulf South region.
HELP V-DAY SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT V TO THE TENTH!
Tell your friends, colleagues and networks about this once is a lifetime event - the V-Day event of the decade!
Spread the word by downloading this e-flier encouraging them to BRING 10! SEND 10! for V TO THE TENTH!
Click here to download e-flier
BRING 10! Encourages people to gather together a group of 10 or more activists to attend V TO THE TENTH at the New Orleans Arena.
SEND 10! Gives people the opportunity to give a gift to women and girls of the Gulf South of attending V TO THE TENTH free of charge. Purchasing tickets that will be distributed to women and girls in the Gulf South by our New Orleans and Gulf South based Katrina Warriors Network, thousands of women and girls will have an experience of a lifetime!
V-Day invites you all to send the jpeg to your email lists to encourage everyone you know to not only come to V TO THE TENTH, but to bring their family and friends, or to help send women and men from the Gulf South region to V TO THE TENTH at the New Orleans Arena.
