WOMEN rights activist and “The Vagina Monologues” author Eve Ensler (center), theater veteran Monique Wilson (right) and Gabriela deputy secretary general Jovita Montes urge everyone to join this year’s One Billion Rising Revolution, a worldwide dance campaign on Feb. 14 to end violence against women. LYN RILLON
“I will kiss the Pope’s hand the day he stands for the liberation of women,” a Tony award-winning playwright said.
In a press conference on the “One Billion Rising Revolution,” Eve Ensler, the author of “The Vagina Monologues,” urged Pope Francis to fight for women’s rights.
“Being pro-poor is a radical move forward but we can’t leave women behind,” she said.
Now on its third year, the campaign calls on women, the youth and even men from around 200 countries to join a dance protest against violence and injustice to women on Feb. 14.
“When we dance, we come together in a way that words don’t allow us [to],” Ensler said. “Across the planet, situations have changed since people started dancing. Laws have been created and implemented,” she added.
Ensler said her dream was for the Pope to support their cause and talk about the liberation of women.
“I think it can happen. He is forward-thinking enough to come forward and look at [the issues]: Can women be priests? Can women have power in the Church? Can women be leaders in the Church?” the women’s rights activist added.
“He is certainly the most progressive and open-minded Pope we’ve had,” said veteran theater and film actress Monique Wilson, the One Billion Rising global director.
Pope Francis used his position to make changes, push for freedom and equality, and eradicate corruption in the Vatican in the face of criticism, she added.
“It is about time that a Pope does that because that is what we need,” she said.
“Religion is there to liberate us. But if it doesn’t talk about other forms of oppression and it doesn’t join the discourse then it is not a liberation of the soul or our spirituality,” Wilson stressed.
Gabriela deputy secretary general Jovita Montes, meanwhile, said they hoped the Pope would also prioritize women’s needs.
“Since he will be visiting the country, I hope he would see that aside from poverty, there are also other issues involving women,” Montes said.
According to her, for this year’s One Billion Rising, Gabriela’s 17 regional chapters nationwide will perform their dance protest to “Bangon para sa Rebolusyon” written by Meerle Jaime.
The protest will be held in different areas, including Manila, Quezon City, Baguio, Isabela, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, General Santos and Butuan, she added.
Among the countries joining the dance protest are Myanmar, Somalia, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore and Egypt.