'Vagina Monologues’ To Fight Domestic Violence

Written by  Bright Abaitey

The Global Arts and Development Centre (GADEC), the organizers of the upcoming ‘Vagina Monologues’ play, has announced that one of the major reasons it is organizing this year’s event is to raise funds and awareness

towards ending violence against women and children. The play will take place February 16 and 17, 2013, at 6:30pm and 8:00pm respectively, at the National Theatre in Accra. “GADEC will present a two-night only benefit performance of Eve Ensler’s award-wining play, ‘The Vagina Monologues’ at the National Theatre,” organizers announced last week. The programme is part of the V‑Day 2013 Campaign across the world. V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. It is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. As such, it generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sex slavery. Through V-Day campaigns, local organizations and activists produce annual benefit performances of ‘The Vagina Monologues’, and an awareness march to raise awareness and funds for anti-violence groups within their own communities. In 2012, over 5,800 V-Day benefit events were produced by volunteer activists around the world, educating millions of people about the reality of violence against women and girls. This year’s play is anticipated to contribute substantially to the campaign. It is a play that dives into the mystery, humor, pain, power, wisdom, outrage and excitement buried in women’s experiences. The play has great acclaim throughout the world- from Zagreb to Santa Barbara, from London to Seattle, from Jerusalem to Oklahoma City, from Cairo to Cape Town and from Lagos to Accra. Tickets for the play are already selling hot at Koala, Airport Shell, Silverbird Cinema and National Theatre. This benefit production is sponsored by Ipas Ghana, Maries Stopes International and supported by DOVVSU, and Human Rights Advocacy Centre. Naa Ashorkor and Lydia Forson were part of the cast of the maiden edition of the play in Ghana.