The global activist movement “V-Day,” started by activist and playwright Eve Ensler, takes place on … you guessed it … today. Valentine’s Day.
The day aims to raise awareness toward ending violence against women, and is marked by film screenings, flash mobs and performances of “The Vagina Monologues,” the University of Idaho version of which took place last week.
But there was another aspect to the V-Day movement that began around its 10-year anniversary in 2008. That is “V-Men,” a virtual and physical space by men, for men and about men as they relate to the effort to end violence against women. Considering that a large majority of perpetrators are male, this is an incredibly important addition to the movement.
Men have a place in feminism and the V-Day movement. Because so many perpetrators are male, men are the most important key to ending violence against women.
It’s important for men to realize, though, that just because they may not go around raping and hitting women, they can become complicit in a culture of gendered violence by staying silent.
Men need to have a voice in this, but they also need to tread gently around issues that so horrifically affect many women today.
Violence against women is a huge issue, not only in our country, but globally.
As with any form of injustice, if we are not actively working against something, we are complicit in it.
This doesn’t mean everyone needs to go out and start a women’s shelter or lobby to pass legislation, but everyone can incorporate moments of prevention in their everyday lives.
UI’s own Vandal Green Dot program is one resource students can utilize to get helpful ideas on how to work toward ending violence against women in their own lives.
Until that time comes, here is how everyone — but especially men — can become actively involved in ending violence against women.
Be aware
Don’t comment on your feminist friend’s statuses about rape and violence statistics with snarky or dismissive comments. Take the time to educate yourself and interact with this topic in a sensitive way. As mature adults, we should all do our part to recognize areas we can improve, and ways we can work to better our culture and society. Snarky dismissiveness of serious issues doesn’t do that.
Speak up
People make rape jokes. Men make rape jokes. Don’t make rape jokes. And if your friends are hanging out and someone throws out a rape joke or a joke that makes light of gender-based violence, call him or her out on it. No need to be rude, but a simple “not cool, dude” will suffice. And hey, maybe it will spark a discussion.
Get involved
ASUI President Max Cowan directed “The Vagina Monologues” this year and received a “Vagina Warrior” award from the UI Women’s Center.
Cowan is a prime example of a man who has taken his role in ending violence against women very seriously, and kudos to him for that. While not everyone needs to be as involved as that, we can all do something. A male friend of mine volunteered for one night during the
performance collecting tickets. Another friend of mine volunteers at Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse once a month for a few hours. Another friend of mine doesn’t do much volunteer work, but he does a lot of online activism, engaging in online discussions and education. We can all do our part.
This Valentine’s Day when you are spending time with your loved one, your friends or yourself, remember another V-Day. The one that aims to end gender-based violence, and the one that needs support of not only women, but men, if it is to succeed.