WHY "CAN'T STOP THE SERENITY"?

A 10-year-old girl in Paraguay, pregnant and alone.

Jordanian women who do not have equal rights as citizens.

A human rights lawyer working for democracy in Libya was murdered and almost a year later, there has been no investigation.

Young girls are still subject to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Liberia.

Italian lawmakers are discussing laws that would decriminalise prostitution and make it easier for sex trafficers to take advantage of young girls.  They also want to teach secondary school boys how to "safely use people in prositution".

What do these have in common?  They are all projects that Equality Now (EN) is working on with their international partners - actions that need money.  And that's where we come in.

Each year Can't Stop The Serenity events are held around the world to benefit Equality Now and, in some cases, local charities.  Our local beneficiary this year is again the Avalon Recovery Society which provides drop-in centres for women who are recovering from addictions.  Money raised for Equality Now at CSTS events helps EN push forward with their mission to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.

So when you are buying a ticket to your local CSTS event, when you are singing along to Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, when you are buying bingo cards or bidding on an item or two or three in the silent or live auction, and especially when you are watching Serenity, remember where your dollars are going and what good they will be doing and give generously. 

On a personal note, after 10 years and nine events, this will be my last CSTS as organiser so I would love to go out on a high note with our best donation yet! I hope you have enjoyed coming out to the events over the years - I know some of you have come almost every year - and I hope that someone else will step forward to organise future events. My thanks as ever to those who donate, sponsor, volunteer and support by coming out, enjoying and spending generously. We couldn't do it without you!

To see previous posts on Why "Can't Stop The Serenity"?, click for 2013,  2012, and 2011.