Churches Support Gender-Based Violence Campaign

Wednesday November 22 2023

Churches worldwide are set to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which starts on Saturday.

The international campaign runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day. 

The campaign was started by activists at the inauguration of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991, and is used by organisations around the world as a platform to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls.

In Scotland, the start of the 16 days will be marked by an ecumenical prayer service in Glasgow Cathedral, at 11am on Saturday. The service, which will be led by the Rev Karen Hendry, convener of the Church of Scotland's Violence Against Women Task Group, has been organised with Christian Aid, the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Ms Hendry, minister of Yoker Church in Glasgow, said: “Across Scotland and around the world, women experiencing violence need to know that their lives matter. The 16 Days of Activism campaign, seeks to make that loud and clear by connecting the issue of violence against women with human rights.”

Val Brown, Head of Christian Aid Scotland, said: "Gender justice is one of the core themes of Christian Aid's global work. We're honoured to be partnering with so many Scottish denominations to pray and raise awareness about this important issue."

Globally, the World Council of Churches (WCC) of which the Church of Scotland is a member, is highlighting ecumenical action and advocacy for gender justice during the campaign. Events include:

• “Trailblazers of our Times: Resilience and Elimination of Gender-Based Violence,” a webinar in collaboration with National Council of Churches of India on November 25
• Launch of the publication “Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance - Sharing the Stories” on November 30
• Webinar on “Decolonizing Beauty: Mission, Gender, Racism, and Health in the Skin-Whitening Pandemic” on December 4
• A hybrid event discussion ‘Weaponising Women in War’ on December 8.

For information from Integrity, the Church of Scotland's Violence Against Women Task Group, visit https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/our-views/violence-against-women/violence-against-women-resources 

For more details about WCC events, visit https://www.oikoumene.org/news/beginning-soon-16-days-against-sexual-and-gender-based-violence 

Life and Work is the magazine of the Church of Scotland. Subscribe here.

Comments

There are currently no comments on this post

Add a reply

All fields are required. Email address will not be published.