The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler at Hull New Theatre (2/2) By Becky Martin

(1/2), (2/2)

Many famous women have taken part over the years including Glenn Close, Calista Flockhart, Honor Blackman, Pam Ferris, and Kate Winslet to mention a few, and the play's been such a profound success that it's been performed in over 25 countries since 1996 and translated into four different languages. It speaks to women everywhere and more importantly the reaction from these plays was so profoundly positive that the V-Day charity was founded, (a not for profit foundation that benefits women and girls who have been abused) in 1997 by Eve Ensler and other activist women and has raised millions of pounds for the protection of women in countries such as Afghanistan and central Africa.

Even the tickets bought for Hull New Theatre, some percentage of the cost will go to a charity that supports women and girls who have suffered abuse in the Hull area. I'm so relieved there's a play that is seen all around the world finally highlighting and empowering amazing women that everyday, get ignored, overlooked, silenced, unappreciated, discriminated, abused, belittled and even worse at the hands of vicious male oppression.

Countless women that go unheard and unnoticed can finally take relief in the fact that there is a voice, a loud unrelenting screaming voice that is just for them and highlights the lives they lead and the torments they suffer. It draws attention to the amazing achievements women have made though history, and the tasks they achieve, with grace, experience and ease, and if given to a man would crumble in a second. Come on ladies isn't it about time that women everywhere cast off the shackles of violent male oppression that we have suffered for years and were recognised as the beautiful, sensitive, strong, independent women we all are? V-day is a living force with a spirit that believes that "women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities."

"V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community." and it reaches out to us all, protesting. It will not stop until the global situation of violence against women has ended.

Violence against women should have been eradicated years ago, yet it is still alive and kicking everywhere in the world, from 'light hearted' flirting/jokes in the office (sexual harassment) to domestic violence, prostitution, sex trafficking, and brutal physical attacks on women and girls' natural bodies, especially the centre of their feminity that is seen as a 'threat' to male masculinity; their vaginas. Have a look at their website (www.vday.org.uk ) to find out how you can help or volunteer and for more information on V-Day, Action Day and International Womens Day. Violence against women must be stopped, now, but that can only be achieved with help from you.

Captivating performances, inspiring speeches mixed with a fantastic artistic response, makes The Vagina Monologues a classic play, one that is static yet moving, hilarious and disturbing, and I take joy in the fact that these plays will still be performed for years to come, and I count myself lucky to have been able to see one, and recognising this plays larger task of helping to support an "organised response against violence towards women."

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