Women's and Gender Studies Hosts Annual V-Day Events

VALDOSTA – Valdosta State University’s Women's and Gender Studies Department sponsors its annual V-Day events throughout February and March. V-Day is the global movement to end violence against women and girls.

“We are known as Vagina Warriors, no matter the gender.  No one deserves to be beaten or raped, ever. Too many people pass it off and hide it especially on campuses so their school looks better and these things must end!” said Kaylan Hand, V-Day director. “Until everyone perceives this as a real issue, we will never obtain change.”

The first event was held Monday, Feb. 10 at the university’s Pedestrian Mall. The event featured a consent table where students were able to learn what consent really is and how to properly obtain consent.

“Consent must happen in order to stop this rape culture,” said Hand. “One in three women are beaten or raped in their lifetime. That is roughly 1 billion women. That is far too many.”

The Sisterhood Social will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12 in Student Union Ballroom C. The event will include learning about “girl hate” and how to eliminate girl hate. The Haven along with VSU’s Marriage and Family Therapy and Center for Outdoor Recreational Experiences (CORE] will help with discussion and team building. The event is considered business casual and food will be served.

V-Day 1 Billion Rising for Justice is an event that promotes everyone to rise for justice against all injustices in the world. The event will be held from noon until 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 at the Pedestrian Mall. 4 Directions, Caribbean Students of VSU, BAYBS, ASL and Collegiate Men of VSU will all be there to share the weight of the injustices.

This year, for the first time ever, WGST will put on “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer” production, similar to the well-known “The Vagina Monologues.” This production differs in that men will have speaking parts from the perspective of watching violence on women. The production will be March 6 through the 8^th at the Student Union Theater. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for general admission. They can be bought at the WGST’s building, Carswell Hall across the street from Palms Dining.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go toward the WGST Sexual Assault Program on campus and to The Haven, the local battered women’s shelter.

“All these events are so very important because if we don't rise up as women who will do it?” Hand said. “We as women need to rise up and be able to say what happens to our bodies. We need to stand up and fight.”

For more information about V-Day or how to get involved with the V-Day movement, contact Kaylan Hand at kfhand@valdosta.edu.

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