Mix sexuality with a bit of raunchy humour and you've got the ingredients to a show that raised $2,200 for the Howe Sound Women's Centre Society.
Last weekend (Feb. 15 and 16), Quest University students hit the stage with the institution's sixth annual production of The Vagina Monologues. The performance is a part of V-Day, a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women.
The Vagina Monologues represent real-life stories recounted by women from around the world, and are based on their experiences with sexuality, gender bias and sexual violence, the production's director and co-producer Tamara Dudley said in a statement.
While at times humourous, witty and entertaining, it tackles heavy subject matters, she noted.
"Our goal is to open up the dialogue in our own community, to address what we can do to ensure safety and equality for women and girls, and to mobilize people to put words to action around the issue," Dudley said.
This year's event drew more than 250 people to the show's two performances. The celebration of womanhood included a silent auction supported by Sea to Sky Corridor businesses.
The Howe Sound Women's Centre is inspired by the leadership role the Quest students took on, said Sheila Allen, the women's society's executive director.
"We are honoured to partner with the students on this project to support women and girls fleeing violence right here in our own community," she said.
Ten per cent of admission proceeds will go to One Billion Rising for Justice, the international V-Day awareness campaign to bring about justice for survivors of gender violence.
For more information on the Howe Sound Women's Centre Society visit www.hswc.ca.
