Fifty-one percent of the world's population is female and yet women and girls are abused, mutilated, denied education, treated unfairly, and beaten or killed for desiring the same advantages that men and boys enjoy.
We in the United States should not think that this is just in foreign countries halfway around the world. We have many of those same problems in our own country and in our own towns. Perhaps the most noteworthy recent example is that a large number of rapes take place in our own armed forces--servicemen raping their female counterparts. And when it is reported, more often than not, superior officers look the other way.
It is time to stand up, to rise up, men and women alike- demanding an end to abuse of women and girls. This is the only way to stop it. We must change the culture of violence. We must give women and girls the power to stand up and refuse to be victimized. And men must stand with them.
During the week of Valentine's Day 2014, Winter Haven Rising will host a number of events to give power to women and girls. Look over this website and if you wish to participate please let us know. You can do so by writing a poem or a prose piece, dancing in the street with us, attending one or more of the events, or simply by telling your friends and neighbors about what we are doing.
Thank you for your interest.
Chuck Warren
The Sage-ing Program
