Can’t Stop The Serenity is an event where “Fans of the science fiction movie ‘Serenity’ will be holding screenings in 51 cities in nine countries to raise money and awareness for Equality Now, an international women’s rights advocacy group. In its second year, Can’t Stop The Serenity looks to raise over $100,000 in donations for the charity.” You can read the entire press release online at PRWeb.com

In 1992, Jessica Neuwirth founded Equality Now (link opens external window) along with Navanethem Pillay and Feryal Gharahi, to address the gender disparity in the human rights movement, which had grown to dismiss violations as “cultural” or “private”. Issues such as domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation, trafficking, and reproductive rights were not part of the agendas of established human rights organizations.

Neuwirth was a student of Lee Stearns, who founded the first Amnesty International chapter run exclusively by high school students. Stearns is Joss Whedon’s mother.

Whedon has been outspoken in his support of the organization and gender equality initiatives. You can hear his remarks on why equality is paramount in this YouTube clip (link opens external window), where he accepts a special recognition award from Equality Now.

In picking Equality Now as the organization receiving the proceeds of the global screenings, the organizers of Can’t Stop The Serenity voice their support of the work done around the world by EN.

For those of you who itemize your taxes each year, Equality Now is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible in the US.

Over $160,000 has been raised for Equality Now since 2006 from these screenings of Serenity.

For more information, check out Can’t Stop The Serenity and see if there is a screening in your town!