Thursday is more than just Valentine’s Day. It’s another celebration of love, too. For 15 years, February 14th has been known in some circles as V-Day, a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. Created by Vagina Monologues author Eve Ensler, V-Day increases awareness and raises funds for the fight to stop violence against females, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation, and sex slavery. No, it’s not the traditional candy hearts and overstuffed teddy bear kind of holiday. But it’s still worthy of your attention. In fact, there will be three events in Boise to support the One Billion Rising campaign, in celebration of V-Day.
Did you know that one in three females on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime? That’s one billion women and girls. As in billion with a b. But it’s not just a women’s issue. Men, if you have a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, or female friends, this will affect you, too.
On February 14th, everyone is encouraged to walk out, dance, rise up, and demand an end to this kind of violence. The goal is to get one billion people to participate. Many locations throughout the world are planning a flash mob, or some sort of ceremony involving music and/or dance. There are three events in Boise this year. Here’s a list so you can choose a time and place that’s convenient for you.
At 12 noon, you can join Saint Alphonsus Rises. Meet in the McCleary Auditorium at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, 1055 N. Curtis Rd. There will be a brief talk, then some time to learn dance steps, and then finally a dance. Community partners will be available to help educate participants, whether they’d like to help, or are seeking help for themselves. To RSVP, click on this link.
At 12:15 p.m., you can meet on the steps of the statehouse for Idaho One Billion Rising. The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence encourages women, men, girls, and boys to attend this event. Meet at the front stairs of the Idaho Capitol (Statehouse). The event goes until 12:45 p.m. To RSVP, click on this link.
At 6 p.m., you can join the group at Grace Place for Wemoon Rising. This woman-centered event welcomes men and boys, too. There will be food, live music, dance, and a playful sacred ceremony to ritualize the intent of rising up to end violence against women. This two-hour event will be held at 3008 W. Grace St., Boise. To RSVP, click on this link.
Talk it up:
Will you support One Billion Rising?
To receive all of the Boise Healthy Living Examiner’s articles, click on subscribe or the RSS feed button. Each week, you’ll get informative articles on Need to Know, and Good for You Food of the Week, plus seasonal features like Spotlight Sport, Healthier Holiday, Broncos Challenge, and more.
Comments