On February 22 and 23 Indiana University South Bend is presenting a variation of the Vagina Monologues titled Michiana Monologues: Local Women’s Stories – Breaking the Silence to End the Violence.  In this play, women will read stories written by other women about themselves, their bodies and their experiences.  Sponsored by Voices Against Violence V-Club IUSB, proceeds from Michiana Monologues will benefit three area agencies that help women. 

Michiana Monologues is modeled after a production created by St. Mary’s College.  SMC students, staff and alumni developed the idea of a performance that was both written and performed by members of the St. Mary’s community.  Because Michiana Monologues is a collection of stories written by local women within the Michiana community, the production will be more meaningful to a larger audience. 

Violence and abuse can affect people from all walks of life.  It doesn’t matter what race or culture they come from, how much money they have, or how old they are.  Violence does not discriminate.  Women are ten times more likely than men to be victims of abuse.  As I wrote in my post, Politics and Misogyny, violence against women is becoming more and more common.  Every day a woman is battered, raped or, worse, murdered.   At least one out of three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.  The abuser is usually someone known to her.  Domestic violence and sexual assault are crimes that not only affect the victims and their families, but society as a whole.

This production is being staged to increase awareness of violence against women.  Ending gender based violence will take a coordinated effort among many sectors of the community at both the local and national levels.  An agenda for change must include empowering women and girls.  Productions like Michiana Monologues not only raise awareness of this issue, but also raises funds for organizations that provide abused women with shelter, lobby for legal reform, and challenge attitudes and beliefs that support violence against women.

The production will begin at 7:00 pm each evening.  A silent auction featuring donated items from the community will begin at 6:15.  Tickets are $10.00 each, for more information call (574) 520-4203 or visit the web site at www.michianamonologue.org