I'm sure all of you savvy feminists know that today is not just a holiday for candy, flowers and cards (oh my!), it is also a day to celebrate love in all of its forms. And no loving relationship should ever involve violence. EVER. Through performances of the Vagina Monologues, activism, fundraisers and dedication, the fine folks at V-Day dedicate themselves to stopping violence against women all over the world.
Because the V-Day organization can say it better than I can, here is the mission statement from their web site:
V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.
V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.
V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.
V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.
V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.
V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.
V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.
V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community. Join us!
Fierce, wild and unstoppable. Now that's what I like to hear. V-Day's motto is "until the violence stops". So while we're all celebrating Valentine's Day today (and I don't think there is anything wrong with that) take a minute to think about all of the women (and men, and children) who are in violent relationships, and what you might be able to do to help. Because we are all in this together until the violence stops.
2 comments:
I have a daugher, 2 granddaughters and 5 sisters. God bless your work. I saw my sisters get abused from some dates they went on and hopefully my daughter and granddaughters will be safe. Keep up the good work.
Violence within same sex relationships is of incredibly high concern. Along with the general fear of reporting domestic or relationship violence, these victims also suffer from disabling discrimination within the law and among law enforcement. Because of such discrimination, these victims are particularly vulnerable to retaliation by their abusers.
It's time that we focus on the perpetrators of these crimes. It's time that we stop punishing women and victims for "staying" rather than punishing perpetrators for "hitting." Abuse within the household should not create the presumption of the mother's neglect for her children. She does not provoke attacks. He perpetrates them.
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