“The Vagina Monologues” will be presented at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in the Satellite Student Union at Fresno State as part of an international movement to end violence against women and girls.
The free public event is presented in concert with the international campaign “One Billion Rising” which is a worldwide call for an end to violence against females, and hosted by S.P.E.A.K., Students Providing Empowerment, Advocacy & Knowledge, a Fresno State student club dedicated to raising awareness on college sexual assault, campus stalking, domestic violence, date rape and unhealthy relationship practices.
“According to the latest United Nations statistics, one of every three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime,” said Oscar Perez, president of S.P.E.A.K. “That’s one billion mothers, daughters, sisters, partners, and friends violated.”
“The Vagina Monologues” is an episodic play focusing on the vagina as a tool of female empowerment and the quintessence of individuality. Written by Eve Ensler in 1996, each monologue is based on a real interview with women of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and upbringings.
Each year “The Vagina Monologues” aims to raise awareness for a specific group of women in the world who are resisting violence by featuring them in its Spotlight Campaign in the form of a unique monologue that represents the plight of these women.
This year, the monologues will be spotlighting women and girls throughout the world in keeping with the “One Billion Rising” international campaign, Perez said.
“It’s S.P.E.A.K.’s mission to lead the fight against violence in our community and ‘The Vagina Monologues’ is an important vehicle through which we can chip away at that goal while also raising money for a good cause,” said Perez, who is working toward a Masters in Social Work.
Tickets are available through the Center for Women and Culture in the Thomas Building, Room 110, at Fresno State (559.278.4435) or by contacting Perez at 559.824.8427.
Related links:
