BILANG Global Director ng worldwide women’s movement One Billion Rising, nananatiling committed ang singer-theater actress na si Monique Wilson sa kanyang pagtulong sa maraming kababaihan, lalo na rito sa Pilipinas.
“When we started One Billion Rising in 2012, the statistic is that one in three women on the planet, more than one billion women and girls, are raped or beaten during their lives.
“Since 2012, there have been annual Rising events on Valentine’s Day. We express the injustices of women through dancing.
“Dancing allows us to come back into our bodies as individual and groups and a world. It connects our feet to the earth. Dancing is defiance. It is joyous and raging.
“This year, we must continue to go much further. We must go all the way and make the change,” pahayag pa ni Monique sa press launch ng One Billion Rising noong nakaraang Feb. 8.
Sa Feb. 14 ang ikaapat na ani-bersaryo ng tinatawag na V-Day ng One Billion Rising.
Ang kanilang selebrasyon ay magaganap sa Manila at inaanyayahan ni Monique ang maraming kababaihan na sumama at ma-kisayaw sa kanila.
“Violence against women, be it verbal or physical, is rising every year. Women should not be contented na tahimik lang sila. We have to put a stop to it by voicing it out. The violence will stop once we all speak out.
“With One Billion Rising, women are united to protect one another. We’ve listened to the cries and pleas of women who are violated in their workplace, forced to sell their bodies and even the young girls na deprived of education,” diin pa ni Monique.
At sa unang pagkakataon ay makakasama sa kanilang pagprotesta ang author ng “The Vagina Monologues” na si Eve Ensler na isa sa sumusuporta sa adhikain ng One Billion Rising.
“We are so happy that Eve can finally join us. Napakinggan na niya ang ilang kuwento ng mga women’s group natin, especially the one of Lola Narcisa Claveria, who was a comfort woman of the Japanese during World War II.
“She’s already 85 years old pero wala pa ring nangyayari sa pag-hingi nila ng hustisya from the Japanese government.
“Lahat ng mga maririnig mong kuwento, maawa ka talaga and it will open your heart to changes. Changes na gusto mong mangyari at sana nasusuportahan.
“Only a radical shift in consciousness and braver, bolder, and more creative and determined actions can bring about change,” pagtapos pa ni Monique Wilson. (RUEL J. MENDOZA)