The Archbishop of Canterbury and other senior church leaders pledge to end sexual violence:
The Archbishop of Canterbury today welcomed senior church leaders and international development agencies at Lambeth Palace to pledge that the church will play a part in ending sexual violence and to launch a Tearfund report ‘Silent No More’.
In speaking about how the church can help end sexual violence and stigma, Dr Rowan Williams said, ‘It is of the first importance that churches and all communities of faith continue to hold before the world’s eyes the absolute priority for justice and dignity for all. We need to equip people to become agents of change and agents of hope. I hope this is the beginning of the church being what it ought to be and should be.’
He was joined on the panel by Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, ‘People forced into sex are automatically denied the means to protect themselves against HIV. Women and girls are most affected and are most vulnerable to HIV. UNAIDS will work closely faith based organizations to ensure the dignity and protection of women and girls.’
Speaking alongside Dr Williams was the Archbishop of Democratic Republic of Congo the Most Revd Henri Isingoma and his wife Mme Mugisa and the Archbishop of Burundi the Most Revd Bernard Htahoturi.