The third annual Girl Fest Hawai‘i is back with events beginning Sept. 8. The festival uses education and art to create awareness of the need to prevent violence against women and girls. The festival includes performances art, exhibits, open microphone night, comedy skits, workshops, concerts, and a film series.

The main goal of Girl Fest is to change peer culture in order to prevent increasing violence against women and girls through positive representations of women. The performers will address issues such as body image, identity, empowerment, social change, and ways to prevent violent relationships.

Girl Fest is operated by The Safe Zone Foundation and sponsored by various companies on O‘ahu. The event is for the whole community.

The Girl Fest Hawai‘i Gallery opens August 29 and runs through Sept.30 at The ARTS at MARKS, 1159 Nuuanu Avenue. The exhibit, Women Overcoming the Body features art in a variety of media and artists of various backgrounds in life and education from all over the United States.

An opening night concert will kick off the festival week Sept. 8, at 9 p.m., and will feature local artists Paula Fuga, La Paz, and Jennifer Johns. The musical genres will include island reggae, hip-hop, and R&B.

Other events will be held throughout the week. Event and ticket information can be found at www.girlfesthawaii.com, www.myspace.com/girlfest, and the Honolulu Box Office, 808-550-8457.