VDay Byron Bay By Photo-Tree-Faerie
A V Day flashmob dance is taking place at 7am tomorrow morning on Main Beach in Byron Bay to raise awareness of the need to end violence against women and children around the world.
‘Its a chance for local people to connect to the global movement that is committed to reducing violence against women and children,’ said local organiser Zenith Virago.
‘This action here in Byron is to empower local women to find their voice.’
V Day started on Valentine’s Day in 2012 and was based on the fact that one in three women on the planet will be beaten or raped during their lifetime. This adds up to more that one million women and girls being subjected to violence in their lives. In Australia approximately 100 women have been murdered in the last 12 months by their intimate partners.
Vagina Conversations
V Day will cumulate with a celebration of the vagina though the ever popular Vagina Conversations that will be held at the Byron Theatre from 7.30pm on February 14 and 15.
‘This year, with the #metoo campaign, and women individually and collectively exposing the magnitude of sexually abusive behaviour by many men this show is particularly relevant,’ said Zenith.
‘Woman are standing up for themselves, for others, and against the patriarchy and its control of women and their bodies.’
Having sold out shows for the last two years you will need to pick up tickets early on if you want to have a chance to enjoy the hilarious, challenging and celebratory stories that will be being told by women from 22 to 81 years old about their lives and vaginas. Speakers will include Mandy Nolan, Feather, Moana Pearl, Gopi Lev Dupain, and Sarah Temporal among many others.
The event is sponsored by the Community Centre and all proceeds go to support women from Byron Shire who are escaping from intimate partner violence.
‘The Escape Fund finances women in crisis to pay for emergency accommodation, get locks changed, keeps women and children safe.’
For more information see their website or just turn up and join in.
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If only some of the participants had the nouse to set up a Lysistrata League.
It would have the double whammy effect of getting blokes to notice.
Failing that, the Judith & Holofernes Appreciation Society.
There’s a way to reduce domestic violence, gun violence, and punching incidents that never gets any attention. The United Nations’ World Health Organization says every year billions of dollars are spent worldwide on injuries related to punching incidents. Punching incidents often escalate in to using more deadly weapons – guns, knives, etc. Reduce punching incidents and it should reduce more deadly types of violence. One Punch Homicide was made to reduce punching incidents, it’s getting great reviews, and it can be seen free online. ShelterMe – its actual spelling – Nebraska, a domestic violence shelter, wrote “I encourage you to show it to your kids.” on its facebook page about it.