Joss Whedon

EQUALITY NOW TO HONOR MEN WHO SAY NO TO VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

New York: On May 15, Equality Now, an international women’s rights organization will host “On the Road to Equality: Honoring Men on the Frontlines,” an evening of jazz and readings highlighting the growing number of men who are working to end violence and discrimination against women.

The event is dedicated to men who have shown groundbreaking courage to challenge culture and the pressures of their communities to speak up and take action for the promotion and protection of the human rights of women and girls.

The evening’s Special Honoree is Joss Whedon, writer, director and creator of “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” for his outstanding contribution to gender equality in film and television. Amanullah Khalid, who supported his wife Dr. Shazia Khalid, who was forced into exile by the Pakistani government after calling for her rapist’s prosecution, will also attend the event and be honored. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times, whose columns on violence against women brought Dr. Shazia’s case to light, will introduce Khalid’s testimony, which will be read by actor Anthony Azizi of the hit show “Commander-in-Chief.”

World-renowned jazz musicians Kenny Barron, Stefon Harris and others will perform. Maria Hinojosa, award-winning senior correspondent with NOW on PBS, will emcee the event. Also to be honored at the event are Zebene Negash, an Ethiopian father who fought for justice for his daughter after she was abducted and raped in an effort to force her into marriage, and Dr. Oscar Maynez, a forensic expert in Mexico who resigned over the obstruction of justice in investigations into the murder of women in Ciudad Juarez. Equality Now will also honor Ken Franzblau, a New York lawyer who has done numerous undercover investigations to expose sex tourism agencies operating in the United States.

“Through our work in the past years, we have witnessed the increasing role of men00husbands, fathers, human rights activists—who are bravely fighting, within their cultures, who are standing up everywhere for the rights of their wives, daughters, sisters and other women,” says Executive Director Taina Bien-Aim.

Equality Now will also feature a list of men who have founded organizations promoting and protecting women’s rights and who have spoken up and taken a leadership role in ending violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.

“Equality Now’s hope is that other men will join them in the quest for equality and justice,” adds Bien-Aim. “Violence and discrimination against women and girls cannot end without the full participation of men”

Event Information: “On the Road to Equality: Honoring Men on the Frontlines”
Monday, May 15, 2006
7:30 p.m.
Peter Norton Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th Street
(212) 864-5400