Gender-based violence threatens integrity of life and faith
Hearing on Violence against Women. Photo: Chris Black/WCC, 1998
On International Women's Day, 8 March, ecumenical leaders have urged churches to work to end violence against women in its many forms across the world.
"Violence and fear of violence blights the lives of many girls and women around the world," said the Rev. Michael Wallace, the general secretary of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF). "If churches believe that every person is made in the image of God then they must speak out about violence against women. We must make sure that women and girls can be without fear in our churches, and that the men and women in our churches promote respect for women and alternatives to violence."
The WSCF, along with the World Young Women's Christian Association (World YWCA) and the World Council of Churches (WCC), is promoting an online Lenten study, "Cries of Anguish; Stories of Hope", which focuses on how communities across the world are working to heal and prevent violence against women. The study features films on Dalit and tribal women in India, the horrific consequences of rape in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the situation of internally displaced people in Colombia and the problem of sex trafficking in Europe.
"Violence against women is a global violation of women's rights and it is the duty of churches and all of us to take immediate steps to end it. Violence is a means of controlling women," states Natalie Fisher, deputy general secretary of the World YWCA, currently in New York for the meeting of the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women. She urged the churches to take a lead on this issue: "We cannot be silent about the abuse and suffering. Silence is akin to condoning and we must gather our collective voices to say it is no longer tolerated."
Dr Manoj Kurian, WCC programme executive for Health and Healing noted the compelling evidence that violence against women, girls and boys has a negative impact on the public health of society as a whole. These challenges expose serious flaws in the equality of relationships between women and men in society.
"Sexual and gender-based violence shreds the very fabric of society" said Kurian. "While it undermines the physical and psychological health of people, it also questions the integrity of our life and faith. We have no illusions that these problems will be easily solved. Our aim with the study is to encourage our churches and communities to examine these often unspoken and unrecognized acts of violence, so as to address the root causes. We also encourage churches and communities not to use theology selectively nor hide behind cultural tenets to defend such violence. It is only by acknowledging the pain and the ongoing hurt that we can begin to seek justice, truth and ultimately the healing and reconciliation of individuals and communities."
An Indian user of the study resources, Raj Patta, said: "The film (…) is moving, the Bible study is inspiring, the prayers are confessing and the reflection is challenging. Truly this campaign is making a difference in our Lenten journey. …. May God grant us strength to end violence against women in all parts of the world."
The Lenten study resources "Cries of Anguish, Stories of Hope" are available at:
http://women.overcomingviolence.org
Signup for updates on the Lenten study resources
Become a fan of "40 days to end violence against women" on Facebook
Ecumenical delegation at the UN Commission on the Status of Women
