Film Screening, Panel Discussion of ‘Half The Sky' Draws 200 Attendees

March 7, 2013 - PRLog -- Stories of hope, challenge and change filled the Ciccone Theater at Bergen Community College in Paramus, N.J., on March 2, as the YWCA Bergen County (http://www.ywcabergencounty.org/) joined together with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Bergen/Passaic Chapter and THIRTEEEN to screen portions of the powerful documentary, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide." A crowd of 200 attendees gathered to view excerpts from the film, which addresses the oppression faced by many women and girls in developing countries, and the brave individuals working to change the world around them.
The emotional film focuses on the global problems of sex trafficking, forced prostitution, gender-based violence and maternal mortality. The screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring Jamie Gordon, the film's executive producer; Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, who is spearheading local legislation aimed at human trafficking prevention, protection and treatment; and Ingrid Johnson, anti-human trafficking advocate. The panel discussed how these global issues for women - in particular human trafficking - are happening in New Jersey, and emphasized that holding perpetrators accountable and supporting victims is vital.

The event was sponsored by The Anti-Racism, Peace & Justice and Reproductive Justice Committees of The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood; Jack and Jill of America Bergen/Passaic Chapter; New York Metropolitan ASPA Chapter; and the Women's Institute at Bergen Community College. Proceeds benefited the healingSPACE (http://www.ywcabergencounty.org/programs/healingspace/) program at YWCA Bergen County.

"We were thrilled by the large community turnout and insightful discussion following the screening of this acclaimed documentary," said Helen Archontou, CEO of YWCA Bergen County. "By coming together to learn more about these issues, we all can serve as agents of change and collectively work toward a solution. We would like to thank our partners, sponsors and everyone who attended this inspiring event."

Filmed in 10 countries, "Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide" (http://www.halftheskymovement.org/), which premiered on PBS, follows Nicholas Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn and celebrity activists America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde on a journey to tell the stories of inspiring and courageous individuals. Across the globe, these individuals are working to confront oppression and offer meaningful solutions through health care, education, and economic empowerment for women and girls.