V-DAY: Working to END violence against women and girls

STOP RAPING OUR GREATEST RESOURCE

2009's V-Day Spotlight campaign focuses on the hundreds of thousands of women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo who have been raped since the conflict began. An estimated 40 women are raped every day in South Kivu in eastern DRC. The atrocities being perpetrated against women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo are nothing less than a femicide. Together we can demand that women and girls in the DRC are safe and empowered as community leaders.

To donate now to stop rape in the DRC, please go to our donate now button on the top right.

"STOP RAPING OUR GREATEST RESOURCE"  COMMITTEE HOSTS BREAKFAST IN PARLIAMENT FOR SENATOR EVE BAZAIBA

Lynne Franks, chairperson of the ‘Stop Raping our Greatest Resource’ V-Day UK committee, welcomed the group of attendees which included Eric Joyce MP, Stephen Carter and Sophia Pickles from the APPG Great Lakes Region of Africa, Zenna Atkins, Chair of OFSTED, Baroness Trish Morris, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Gail Zappa, Sam Roddick, Amanda Ross and Baron Jonathan Mance among others.   

Lynne put the stress and inconvenience of the morning’s tube strike into proportion by reminding everyone of the frightening events taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Those present were reminded that this issue is not someone else’s problem as the electronic appliances used every day in the western world (laptops, mobile phones etc.) are built using ‘conflict minerals’ which fund armed groups in the Congo.   

She introduced Marie-Claire Faray (co-committee member and representative of Common Cause UK and WILPF) who spoke about the need to listen to Congolese women and challenge the dominance of patriarchy.   Marie-Claire then introduced Senator Eve Bazaiba who thanked those who had made it to the meeting and gave them a general introduction to the scale of the problem.   

She spoke about the fact that as well as the Congolese army, there are eight different rebel forces operating in the Congo, each of which use sexual violence as a weapon of war.  It is not unusual to hear of a woman being publicly raped by members of several different militia groups.  The attacks combined with the lasting health problems and the exclusion of some of these women from their families adds up to an incredibly serious situation which many people are ignoring.  Eve emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of the current situation rather than solely concentrating on dealing with the consequences.  She then presented Lynne Franks with a piece of Congolese artwork to thank V-Day for the work they are doing to raise awareness about the issues. 

The breakfast was a great success as representatives from the media, human rights groups and politics gathered together and began to form plans to actively address the issue.  Action Packs were distributed which explained the many ways in which the breakfast’s attendees can make an impact through fundraising and advocacy.  V-Day UK will be hosting several high-profile events in the coming year to take action for the Congo.

WOMEN OF INFLUENCE LUNCH

An incredible explosion of energy, commitment and activity happened last week when a group of highly influential British women came together at the bastion of the old establishment, the House of Lords in London, to learn about the horrific situation of the sexual violence against women and girls of the DRC.

This was the first of a series of high-profile events instigated by Eve Ensler across Europe, the women-only lunch included a talk by the Prime Minister’s wife, Sarah Brown; an introduction by Eve to her film of her work with the women of the City of Joy in the Congo and a passionate and inspirational speech by Marie-Claire Faray-Kele, a Congolese activist based in the UK.

Amongst the many high-profile women at the lunch were actress Thandie Newton; activist, actress and producer Trudie Styler;  actress and writer Meera Syal; authors Ruth Rendell and Kathy Lette; top women politicians; broadcasters; business women and activists. All the women were united in working towards a UK and global campaign to create awareness of the situation and put political pressure on governments to ensure it is stopped.

As Marie-Claire Faray pointed out, “if it can happen in the Congo, it can happen anywhere and it is time for women of the world to unite in sisterhood and ensure it is stopped.”

The British Committee are now in the process of planning a two-year awareness campaign that will result in international economic and political pressure to prevent this outrage.

ADD YOUR VOICE NOW!

V-Day has launched the 'V-WALL FOR CONGO' where you can post messages of solidarity to the women of Congo. As the violence in the Eastern DRC continues, your support & your voice are critical.

UK, SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! Let the women of the Congo hear you! Speak out against this violence and send your message of hope, empowerment, change and victory. Invite your friends to join you and V-Day in solidarity with the women and girls of the Congo.

Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at HEAL Africa Jubilee Center with Dr Likofata

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon visited the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, DRC and made an impassioned plea for uncompromising action to put a stop to the plague of sexual violence in easteran Congo. By adding your voice to the V-Wall you can urge our world leaders to help, AND TO HELP NOW.

We hope you will add your voice to the wall. Let the women of the DRC know people living in the UK care! Help by posting the link on your social networking pages and encouraging your friends to post messages.

Click here to post your message

JOIN the campaign by:

Funding initiatives for women and girls' empowerment in the DRC.

Raising Awareness about the DRC and for the support of rape survivors.

Supporting local community based centres helping rape survivors.

Participating in V-Day Events

Click here for more information

Join the campaign here

OVER 50 V-DAY EVENTS IN LONDON THIS YEAR:

2009 will be a special year for V-Day in the UK!

V-Day was launched as a global movement in 1998 in the United States of America. It was one extraordinary performance. And the second extraordinary V-Day performance took place in London in 1999 on Valentine’s Day at the Old Vic – Kate Winslet, Thandie Newton, Joely Richardson and Meera Syal, amongst many other famous actresses – stood up to be counted as women that wanted an end to violence.

Vday London 2009: Celebrating 10 years!

Congratulations to the London cast of A Mermory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer & The Vagina Monologues for their fantastic performances and passion for the issue. After watching the plays, many audience members felt galvanised to do something to help end violence against women and girls.

Well done to the cast and the crew for creating such a rousing campaign!

Vday College Campaign

Performances of The Vagina Monologues at over 30 London Universities! All performances benefiting local London charities and the DRC.

For a full listing of this years events, visit our event calendar

Carsten Holler's North London club "Double Club." is a supper/night club which features both Congolese and Western dishes, as well as Congolese Rumba Rock on the dance floor. This club, which will be open to the public for approximately three months, will give a portion of its proceeds to the City of Joy in the DRC. This would be a great place to bring your V-Team! Here is an article about the club.

National Domestic Help Line: 0808 2000 247

You can also find more information by going to Refuge or Women's Aid