November 24, Episcopal Relief and Development is urging churches to join in speaking out against gender violence:
You and your church can make a difference. We’re calling all congregations to dedicate SPEAK OUT SUNDAY to dialogue, teaching, prayer and action about gender based violence (GBV) and its prevention.
Why this date?
The United Nations has designated Monday, November 25 as the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women,” which kicks off the Center for Women’s Global Leadership’s 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women, observed from November 25 through December 11. SPEAK OUT SUNDAY is the faith community’s way of uniting with and amplifying these global efforts.
Why the church?
The church is a place of love, acceptance, healing and forgiveness. SPEAK OUT SUNDAY is the perfect opportunity to empower your congregation to take action to prevent and address GBV. Though the topic may be sensitive, people of faith must use our voices against violence, abuse, oppression, trafficking and other forms of GBV.
For more information and a free webinar to help you prepare go to Episcopal Relief and Development.
As part of the campaign to stop gender based violence the World Council of Churches is also reviving the “Thursdays in Black” campaign against sexual and gender based violence. Ekklesia reports:
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is working toward the revival of “Thursdays in Black”, a campaign against sexual and gender-based violence. The emphasis is pertinent to the theme of the WCC’s upcoming assembly: “God of life, lead us to justice and peace”.
On 31 October 2013, during the WCC 10th Assembly in Busan, Republic of Korea, participants will be encouraged to wear black. Through this simple gesture, participants are invited to be part of a global movement urging an end to violence against women.
Thursdays in Black was started by the WCC in the 1980’s as a form of peaceful protest against rape and violence – especially taking place during wars and conflicts. The campaign focuses on ways through which individuals may challenge attitudes that cause rape and violence