EVE Ensler, founder of ‘One Billion Rising Revolution’ is here in Guyana to promote the state of female justice, in which the advent of a structured database of missing women is in the pipeline.

And Eureka Laboratory has been consulted about providing DNA testing in special cases such as the case of missing school teacher, Nyozi Goodman, among others.

During her Caribbean tour, Ensler, in collaboration with Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA), is here to meet with the grassroots people, including women and girls, to end violence on women.

Ensler is known for the “Vagina Monologues”, a drama piece which was launched 18 years ago to raise funds to end violence against women and was promoted in 140 countries in three languages, garnering US$125M.

She told a press conference Sunday at Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, that the money garnered from “Vagina Monologues” performances was used to construct shelters for abused women and advocacy.

Ensler added that two years ago the ‘One Billion Rising Revolution’ took centre stage in 107 countries globally and they have since had 33 global members meeting in Rome last year in which several topics were discussed to iron out the way forward for that forum.

She stated that since her arrival in Guyana, she has heard so many stories similar to those she heard while travelling the world.

Ensler added that ‘One Billion Rising’ is a non-governmental organisation and it is not owned by anyone since it is considered a collective movement.

The renowned activist told the gathering that the justice theme is a global one and the panel discussion is aimed at letting the voices of abused women be heard so they can come up with a better justice system for them.
MISSING
Meanwhile, Regional Coordinator, Diane Madray, during remarks announced her personal commitment to have a database set up for missing and abused women and girls, noting the sad case of Babita Sarjoo, who went missing in 2010 and is yet to be found.

She said since her arrival in Guyana she had discussions with Andrew Boyle of Eureka Lab in an effort to have DNA testing done for special cases as Neesa Gopaul, among others.

Madray pointed out that the movement is geared towards ensuring the voices of women are heard and they want to do much more than just talk and out of the panel discussion that was scheduled to be streamed live from Pegasus Hotel on Sunday night, a decision would be taken by the women.

She disclosed at the press conference that their aim is to create a regional coalition and for adequate follow-up on the progress of abused women so they will set up a better database system to safeguard women.

Madray stated that they will be meeting with the grassroots women, their main target, to create a regional connection, after which they can take it internationally.

She explained that they will partner with a US laboratory in Ohio to have DNA testing done for some cases as Nyozi Goodman, among others, so families can have closure and they will find a way to develop alliance.

The Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness Organization (CADVA) – and One Billion Rising Caribbean Representative, Dianne Madray is hosting a series of events in Guyana later this month.

Tony award winning playwright, performer and activist Ensler is here in Guyana as part of the Caribbean tour.

This is the beginning of the Caribbean tour with Ensler – she arrived in Guyana for two big events: State of Female Justice in Guyana: Social Justice with Love Panel discussion on Sunday 28th September on NCN, and an artistic presentation -Let the Women Speak on Monday September 29 at the Theatre Guild.

These events focused on honouring all the women of Guyana, including those who were lost. Madray is a US-based Guyanese who has been travelling around the world on a mission to help women.
The Caribbean Tour that will be held this month end will also kick off the new theme for the ‘One Billion Rising’ movement in 2015.

‘One Billion Rising’ has shown that “there is nothing more powerful than global SOLIDARITY as it makes all of us safer in our outspokenness, braver in what we feel willing to do.”

(By Michel Outridge )