One in three women around the world will be raped or beaten at some point in life. That means one billion women and girls will be affected by violence.
One billion.
If you find that unacceptable, join the One Billion Rising revolution and rise up on Feb. 14, also known as V-Day.
The V-Day global movement was created to gather strength in numbers and demand an end this violence. This year marks the 15th anniversary of V-Day events where women, men, and children walk out, dance, or rise up in protest. In conjunction with the anniversary, the One Billion Rising campaign was developed to show solidarity worldwide.
V-Day provides volunteers all over the globe with a coordinated way to create events that increase awareness, raise money, and inspire a world without violence against women and girls -- violence that includes rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation, and sex slavery.
More than 5,800 V-Day benefit events took place last year in the U.S. and globally, events occurred in 167 countries.
In case you're wondering what the "V" means, the organization's website says, "The 'V' in V-Day stands for "Victory, Valentine, and Vagina."
Pick whichever word you want, or all three, and then pick an event to attend that day. Grand Rapids has a few different options for you.
The women-only "Dance to End Violence Against Women and Girls on V-Day" event at the Wealthy Theatre Annex is a night of free-form dance hosted by Awakened Potentials' president, Daina (Dinah) Puodziunas.
She regularly hosts bi-weekly "Dancing From Within" dance nights there, providing a "fun, safe environment for women to free their inhibitions, fears, and other ways they withhold their authentic soul."
The music featured on Feb. 14 will be world beat and Puodziunas is asking for a $10 minimum donation to cover the cost of the room rental. Any proceeds will be donated to Women For Women International.
As someone personally affected by violence, Puodziunas is "shocked" that so much of it still exists in today's world. She teaches women self-empowerment through mind and body awareness and wanted to participate in V-Day to raise awareness of this issue.
"I know that if we don't rise up and take a stand, things won't change," she says. "It's up to us and the time is way past due."
Another V-Day dance event that's open to everyone is the "One Billion Rising: Grand Rapids Style" night at Eastern Avenue Hall, hosted by Chelsea Jandernoa. All ages are welcome and there is no entrance fee. A cash bar will be available.
If you prefer a flash mob, Jessica Holmes is coordinating the "Grand Rapids Flash Mob One Billion Rising" dance event that takes place from 6-7 p.m. on Feb. 14. The location listed is the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and there are a few dance rehearsals posted on the event page.
Sacred Beginnings, a transitional program for women recovering from human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and substance abuse, is hosting The Vagina Monologues at Davenport University. This award-winning play is based on V-Day Founder and Playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women, celebrating their sexuality and strength in a humorous yet graceful way.
On Feb. 14, choose any one of these events and rise up to demand an end to violence against women and girls. One instance of violence is one too many.
Here’s information about the organization and the various events happening in Grand Rapids:
- Follow
@VDay on Twitter.
Sources: Daina (Dinah) Puodziunas with Awakened Potentials, and the One Billion Rising and V-Day websites
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Images gathered from websites and provided by Awakened Potentials.
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