Vaginas and violence - Aid - Brief Article

New Internationalist, May, 2003 by Katy Salmon

In conservative Kenya where a woman can be stripped naked in public for wearing a mini-skirt decent people do not talk about vaginas.

Enter Mumbi Kaigwa, Kenya's feted actress, producer and director, with a daring dream to stage Eve Ansler's play The Vagina Monologues -- based on hundreds of interviews with women about their relationships with their vaginas -- in the capital Nairobi.

The monologues range from the jokey -- 'What would your vagina wear? What would it say?' -- to horrific testimonies of rape and abuse.

Out of the original play came the 'V-Day' movement to raise funds and awareness to stop violence against women and girls, with events being staged everywhere from Nova Scotia to Manila.

Actress Lorna Irungu, taking part in the Nairobi performance, says: 'I've had people insulting me, telling me. "We'd better not see you in the streets. We thought you were a more respectable person, how could you be associated with something like this? You are making our women rebel".'

So is Kenya really ready for The Vagina Monologues?

Kwaiga says: 'Before you answer that question, describe how a day, from the time you wake up, will change when there is no more violence. How will it change the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you treat other people, the way you expect to be treated? Then ask yourself if Kenya is ready.'