A new movement in the South Okanagan is looking to help change violence against women statistics through the arts.
“According to worldwide statistics, one in three women will be victims of violence in their lifetime,” said Paula R. de la Vega, one of the organizers of a new movement in the South Okanagan called V-Day Oliver-Osoyoos. “That’s not acceptable, and we want to help change it.”
Vega, along with Oliver’s Tiffany Beckedorf, has formed a small group of local volunteers to join forces with V-Day — a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. Vega said the group intends to increase awareness, gather local statistics about abuse and raise money for the Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre which has programs to help women and girls.
Beckedorf said that one of the group’s main fundraisers will be the production of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play, The Vagina Monologues.
“With humour and grace, the piece celebrates women’s sexuality and strength,” Beckedorf said.
The performance of The Vagina Monologues will be held on April 6 at 7 p.m. at the Osoyoos Secondary School theatre.
V-Day Oliver-Osoyoos is currently looking for women and girls ages 16 to 110 years of age to be in the play. Auditions will take place on Jan. 7 from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Dance Studio, located at 6237 Main Street, Oliver. Contact 250-408-9061 or tiffanybeckedorf@gmail.com to arrange an audition or visit www.vdayoliverosoyoos.org.
