- Eve Ensler Founder of The Vagina Monologues - Joyce Tennson
Amnesty International released a report on January 6, 2011 stating that more than one million people still lived in “appalling conditions” in tent cities in Port-au-Prince and it is here that women are still at serious risk of sexual assaults. To help women in Haiti, The Vagina Monologues will be performing at Jacksonville State University February 18 and 19 for the first time. Part of the proceeds raised this weekend will go to safe housing for women and their children in Haiti.
The Vagina Monologues
The Vagina Monologues were created by Eve Ensler who wrote the first draft of the monologues in 1996. Eve Ensler is a playwright, performer and activist who became involved with the issue of violence against women. Creating The Vagina Monologues allowed Ensler to reach out to millions of women worldwide. These particular monologues answer serious questions and give the abused an active voice.
Eva Ensler's experience performing The Vagina Monologues inspired her to create V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. She has devoted her life to stopping violence against women.
The Vagina Monologues is translated into over 48 languages and performed in over 140 countries.
2010 Haitian Earthquake
In the first 150 days after the Haitian earthquake, more than 250 cases of rape in numerous camps were reported according to data cited in the Amnesty International report, “Aftershocks: Women speak out against sexual violence in Haiti’s camps.” These figures do not include the suspected hundreds (possibly thousands) of unreported rapes and sexual assaults.
According to a January 6, 2010 report by Amnesty International, one year after the Haitian earthquake, rape survivors continue to arrive at the office of a local women’s support group almost every day.
“Women, already struggling to come to terms with losing their loved ones, homes and livelihoods in the earthquake, now face the additional trauma of living under the constant threat of sexual attack,” said Gerardo Ducos, Amnesty International’s Haiti researcher. He also states that there is no security for girls and women in these camps. Armed gangs of men attack women randomly and there is little prospect that there will ever be justice.
Violence against Women in Haiti: FANM
Violence against women in Haiti has been an ongoing problem, long before the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Kay Fanm is an active Haitian feminist organization that struggles to improve the status of women by providing legal, health, literacy and shelter services for women.
Kay Fanm, (Creole for House of Women), opened Revive Center in December 2005. Revive houses girls and adolescent girls who are victims of sexual assault and they receive services by Kay Fanm. Before the 2010 Haitian earthquake, Kay Fanm ran the only women’s shelters in Haiti. Up until 2005, rape was considered a crime against honor in Haiti rather than a crime against a person.
The problem of violence against women is much greater than Kay Fanm can deal with. In an interview with writer Michael Swan for the Catholic Register, Kay Fanm stated that they have space for fewer than 20 girls at a time and they can offer financial support for 40 girls. In Port-au-Prince camps, there is an epidemic of sexual violence and a brutal economy exists in which sex is traded for protection, food and shelter.
Amnesty International is calling for the new government to urgently act to stop violence against women.
The Vagina Monologues' performance this weekend at Jacksonville State University is presented by Women’s Issues Support and Empowerment in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Sources:
The Anniston Star,JSU's Vagina Monologues to aid Haitian Women. February 18, 2011
Amnesty International; Haiti: Sexual Violence Against Women Increasing. January 6, 2011.
Kay Famn
Catholic Register, D&P-funded program provides pro-life solution to Haiti's sexual violence. January 6, 2011
Karen Stephenson - Karen has written for several newspapers and print media in addition to many online publications. She holds a B.A. in English and an ...
