At a Valentine’s Day news conference on Capitol Hill, Schakowsky and her colleagues hailed the initiative and called it the “Ultimate Valentine Gift.” Eve Ensler, acclaimed author of The Vagina Monologues, and founder of V-Day, and Carole Black, President and CEO of Lifetime Television attended the event, along with Jane Fonda, a longtime advocate for women, and actress Mary Alice. “Zoya,” a survivor and member of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, testified about the horrors Afghani women face each day.  “Zoya,” must keep her identity secret, otherwise her life will be in grave danger upon her return to Afghanistan.  

“There is an epidemic of violence against women here in the United States and in every corner of the globe.  I met young girls in Bangladesh who were rescued from the brothels that had purchased them.  In my community, I met brave women who rescued their children and escaped their abusers.  The violence is everywhere, and it must stop,” Schakowsky said.

Schakowsky pointed to recent statistics that show women remain in danger.
 

• Worldwide, 1 in 3 women and girls have been or will beaten or sexually abused during their lifetime: one billion women;  

• In the United States, a least 1 in 6 women and girls have been beaten or sexually abused during their lifetime;   

• 1.5 million women are raped every year in the United States;

• 1-2 million women and children are trafficked annually around the world; and

• Between 50-100,000 women and children are trafficked into the US each year, primarily from S.E. Asia and the former Soviet Union.

Schakowsky said, “This important collaboration of members of Congress, actors and performers, activists and grassroots organizations, and Lifetime Television empowers us to challenge the culture of violence.  We will continue on this mission until the women of the world live free from their ever-present fear of violence.  Then V-Day becomes Victory Day.” 

She warned the Bush administration that any attempts to limit funding or enforcement of the Violence Against Women Act and other initiatives here at home and abroad will be met with great opposition by Congress and by the women of this nation.  

The “Our Lifetime Commitment” initiative is disseminating specially designed postcards and launching an email campaign to Congress calling on members to act and pass tough anti- violence legislation.   As part of this initiative, Lifetime will also air extensive public service announcements and programs, create an online resource, and sponsor events nationwide.
 
V-Day is a global movement to end violence against women and girls, and was founded by Eve Ensler, who was inspired by the reaction of women to her play, The Vagina Monologues.  Lifetime Television is the number one network for women.