A unique partnership of Episcopal/Anglican women’s groups is offering resources for work against gender violence.
The joint project Episcopal 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence offers resources for activism and prayers. It is a unique partnership between Anglican Women’s Empowerment, (AWE) Episcopal Church Women (ECW), Episcopal Women’s Caucus (EWC). As the Episcopal Church knows from when these groups united to move the church forward against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in the late ’80s, resulting in the Title IV canons and the Safeguarding our Children and Church trainings – great things will be accomplished.
The 16 Days campaign begins November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, and runs for 16 days until December 10, International Human Rights Day. Since 1991, more than 2,000 organizations in approximately 156 countries have participated.
The Café interviewed the leaders of ECW and EWC this morning. In addition to calling attention to the website, they said there would be a Bulletin Insert from The Episcopal Church for use on November 14. Both found in this partnership a hope for the future of the work of the women of the church now that there is no designated desk at the Church Center. Chair of AWE Kim Robey was credited with being the spark who started this collaboration.
Ms. Marcia Himes, President of ECW, says, “Our hope is that by raising awareness of this issue and offering resources our three groups will spread the word through their networks of women and men who want to pursue this issue, making the world a safer place for all those who are suffering. The tools offered will assist in action. Connection to the worldwide effort of ’16 Days’ from November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, to December 10, International Human Rights Day will support individual efforts.”
According to the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Kaeton, Convener of EWC, “Women are able to network and act rapidly and with effectiveness, as we saw when we came together to make the church pay attention to the suffering of children and vulnerable adults in our churches beginning in the 1980s.” “Like the persistent widow in Luke 18, we will not give up until justice prevails.” Kaeton emphasizes.
From the website:
Welcome to a unique partnership between Anglican Women’s Empowerment (AWE), Episcopal Church Women (ECW), and the Episcopal Women’s Caucus (EWC). We have created this blog to spread the word and create resources to encourage women and men in the Episcopal Church to participate in the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” campaign.
The 16 Days campaign begins November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women, and runs for 16 days until December 10, International Human Rights Day. Since 1991, more than 2,000 organizations in approximately 156 countries have participated.
During these 16 Days, we encourage churches to participate through prayer, special services to mark the occasion, sermons to emphasize the issue, speakers or films at adult forums, articles written in church and diocesan publications, and in many other ways.