Activists in 99 countries rose for freedom and to create the new culture as One Billion Rising events took place through 22 April , Earth Day . Creative resistance events took various forms - from flash mobs to documentary films , candlelight vigils to training with men , night walks to pride marches and more . We called on the world to use art , ance , theater , film , visual art , photography , sculpture , painting , sports , performance , and more . And with intention and determination , the world delivered .
At City of Joy in the Democratic Republic of Congo , over 2000 women have graduated and become leaders and change-makers in their communities . Women continue to turn their pain into power in the aftermath of violence and hardship . They are living bold lives after their healing journeys and are now committed to building more equitable communities .
The V-Day Safe House for the Girls in Narok County , Kenya , having celebrated a milestone year with its 20th anniversary , continues to provide shelter and community for Maasai girls rejecting the long-held practices of Female Genital Mutilation and Early Childhood Marriage , creating new pathways to success for themselves and their communities . This year our support helped to make college and university study a reality for a small group of girls .
V-Day ’ s newest artistic program , VOICES , an interdisciplinary audio play grounded in Black women ’ s stories of the African continent and diaspora , premiered in Ghana with an astounding roar – pulling-up , amplifying and embracing the voices of Black women and non-binary folk to highlight Black women ’ s unity globally .
With her newest book RECKONING , a memoir encapsulating 40 years of V ’ s writings including the foundation of V-Day , OBR , and City of Joy , V took to the airwaves sharing a vision for the future , informed by her artistic vision and activist heart .
These pages are a reflection of the past year in our movement . Our global movement – fueled by the loyal , determined activists who RISE with One Billion Rising , turn pain to power at the City of Joy , and continue to support and uplift V-Day through a multitude of creative resistances – is stronger than ever after 25 years . Our gratitude for your partnership and collaboration . It truly means the world to us .
In solidarity ,
V ( formerly Eve Ensler ) & SUSAN CELIA SWAN