“According to statistics, one in three women on the planet Earth will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. That's one billion women,” shares Mumbi Kaigwa about the inspiration behind the global campaign slated for February 14th. On that day, the “One Billion Rising” initiative wants to encourage one billion women, and those who love them, to walk out, dance, rise up and demand an end to violence against women.

Led by Ms. Naomi Mwaura and Ms. Annie Eagleton from COVAW (The Coalition of Organisations Working to End Violence Against Women), Kenya hopes to join the party at Uhuru Park between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. On March 1st, just a few weeks after this “Valentine to women”, Mumbi and Karen Lucas will lead a cast that includes Lorna Irungu, Patricia Kihoro, Pinky Ghelani, Patricia Amira and Suzzane Gachukia for a special reprisal of the famous “Vagina Monologues”. Mumbi explains, “The first time ‘The Vagina Monologues’ were performed in public in Kenya was 2003. We raised almost KES one million. We choose to host it once again because the work of ending violence against women and girls is still unfinished,” Mumbi and her team also recognize that this is an election year and, in 2007 cases of sexual violence were rampant.

“We want to use the event to remind ourselves of that time and to entreat our politicians to ensure that these elections take place peacefully,” she states. The event is meant to empower, transform and spread a peaceful message by dreaming of a world where violence will be a thing of the past. This year’s beneficiary from the proceeds of The Vagina Monologues will be Nairobi-based non-govermental organization, Women's Rights Awareness Programme (WRAP). Since 1994, it has hosted Kenya's sole domestic shelter for abused and violated women and their children.

In addition, WRAP provides women (and men) with legal aid, alternative accommodation, trauma counselling, marital counselling, mediation, reconciliation, reintegration and resettlement. For more details on “One Billion Rising” Kenya email Naomi Mwaura via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Annie Eagleton via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To purchase tickets for “The Vagina Monologues” email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it