Some "Proud to be Pinay" Thoughts Regarding V-Day Pinay Hawaiʻi

Abstract

This is an essay written by Jennifer S. Rose, who served as the Director of Community Building and Program Development at the Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline, during the production of V-DAY Pinay Hawaiʻi. She provides a context of Eve Ensler's work, the Vagina Monlogues, in relation to Filipina women's work to reclaim our bodies and the protection of women, because of the history of violence in the Philippines and in Hawai'i. The essay highlights the work that has been done to address gender based violence in Hawaiʻi, and discusses the significance of the V-DAY Pinay performance as an example of ongoing community based work to change the culture of violence against Filipina women.