There were a lot of supporters of Denim Day on Wednesday, a global movement to raise awareness about sexual violence against women.
In addition to denim, some supporters also wore orange.
“Why orange?” said Edie Ignacio Neumiller of the Zonta Club of Kauai. “The color orange symbolizes a brighter future — a world were women and girls no longer live in fear of violence. That future starts with action and together, we are making a difference.”
The movement to raise awareness was picked up by the Kauai Committee on the Status of Women and joined by the Zonta Club of Kauai, the Zonta Club of Hanalei, the YWCA of Kauai, the Kauai Police Department, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and a lot more other people who wore denim to demonstrate their support of the ending violence against women.
The turnout for the proclamation presented by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami was more than anticipated by the Zonta Club. The number of participants grew as unsolicited photos of groups poured into from locations as far away as the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Mana.
Jonell Kaohelaulii, the PMRF public affairs officer, said Denim Day is a global movement to raise awareness about sexual assault prevention, and to support survivors of sexual assault and harassment by wearing denim to work.
“Earlier this month, sailors planned to host a Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month 5k run/walk event and made T-shirts imprinting their handprints onto the back of shirts,” Kaohelaulii said. “The 5k event was unfortunately canceled due to weather, but the shirts and its message lives on.”
PMRF personnel and sailors honored Denim Day together as a command to show our support for survivors, raise awareness and reaffirm their dedication to fostering an environment of respect, dignity and accountability, Kaohelaulii said.
The mayor’s proclamation outlined the history of Denim Day. The original Denim Day was triggered by a ruling from the Italian Supreme Court. A rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. Women of the Italian Parliament protested the decision by wearing jeans to work as a visual protest.
Zonta Club of Kauai President Regina Carvalho said,” As we build awareness for Denim Day, let us not forget that regardless of what a woman wears, or doesn’t wear, at no time is she asking to be violated.”
