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Playwright Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues is no longer simply a theatrical production. It has also transformed into the V-Day Movement. The grouping describes itself as "a global activist movement to stop violence against women and girls"

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The show is not your typical popular play: but bittersweet stories about this "women's tool" called the vagina.

But, far from being blatant about women's sexual independence and other pro-women's liberation issues, the production director Tapuwa Moore said the Vagina Monologues is communicating strong messages about women's rights.

She said the show was very relevant to women generally because there was a high rate of rapes around the country.

Moore argued that she brought the show back because young girls were getting pregnant.

"Vagina Monologues is a very educative production. It's very crucial that we talk about the vagina itself. It is part of our bodies," she said.

"In the show, you will be presented with interesting stories. Many are tinged with humour or sadness and each character's monologue is uniquely individual. Some vaginas will be telling sad stories of rape, others of early or late orgasms."

Moore also said the new production was different from others because these monologues would be told through comedy, dialogue and poetry.

Poet Ntsiki Mazwai, who is among the 13 women taking part, said it was important to empower women to stand up about their asset called vagina.

"There is a lot of sensationalism around this word. We need to be comfortable when talking about the vagina."

Moore added that they were raising funds for many organisations, including Alexandra's Women Shelter.

"We are collecting pads and tampons for girls in Soweto high schools. The more they bring they will get discounts on tickets."

After the Wits University performance, the show will go to Carfax in Newtown on Friday before heading to Ozone Pub in Moletsane, Soweto, on Saturday. - bambalelep@sowetan.co.za