Members invited to actively oppose violence against women and children

The We Will Speak Out coalition invites all members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) to join in its annual “16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.”

The campaign begins on Tuesday, 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and runs until 10 December, International Human Rights Day. It includes both Universal Children’s Day and World AIDS Day.

“It is really important for WCRC member churches to engage actively during these 16 days,” said Dora Arce-Valentin, the WCRC executive secretary for justice and partnership. “Violence against women and children is happening everywhere, even within our own communities of faith. Working against it is a matter of justice and human rights. It is therefore something churches must denounce and mobilize boldly to take action against.”

We Will Speak Out (WWSO) is a global coalition of Christian-based NGOs, churches and organizations, including the WCRC, supported by an alliance of partners and individuals who together commit themselves to see the end of sexual violence across communities around the world.

The WWSO coalition is committed to empowering women and girls, to transforming relationships between women and men, and to ensuring that the voices of survivors of sexual violence—women, girls, men and boys—are central to their work.

“We, as the WCRC, are part of the coalition, participating actively and contributing to it,” explained Arce-Valentin. “We also work to link our member churches with WWSO national coalitions. At the same time, the coalition is giving us a space for WCRC member churches to engage proactively against sexual violence and allow us to address the matter in partnership with Christian sisters and brothers from all over the world.”

Though often prevalent in conflict and humanitarian contexts, sexual violence is common within communities worldwide, but as an issue it remains largely hidden. One in three women worldwide will suffer from some form of violence in their lifetime. Of these one in five will become a survivor of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. Men may also be survivors of sexual violence, especially during conflict.

The WWSO believes the church has a very significant role in speaking out against sexual violence and challenging the stigma that surrounds issues of sex and gender inequality. It can help to change attitudes through biblical teaching and interpretation. The Bible teaches that all humans should be treated with love and respect and that women and men are created equal in the eyes of God.

To that end, the WWSO has created a “16 Days of Activism” guide that contains prayers, reflections and action. This prayer guide can be used by individuals, home groups or church groups to follow the 16 day campaign (or at any other time of year) to pray into gender-based violence issues.

“I am excited for the impact and possibilities that these resources are giving to our members,” said Arce-Valentin. “They were prepared in a collective effort to bring a holistic and ecumenical approach. Each daily resource is built around one of the many aspects that generates sexual violence, including the economic inequalities, the gender injustices and the unjust system of power relations.

“So it is my hope that all our member churches will engage in these ’16 Days of Activism’ for the sake of our commitment with justice and communion!”

Both excerpts from the guide, as well as original submissions from WCRC members, will be shared on the WCRC’s blog during the 16 days. Please join Christian sisters and brothers to make a difference on this important issue.

• Download the “16 Days of Activism” prayer guide [PDF]
• Visit the WCRC blog for daily posts (25 November – 10 December)
• Visit the WWSO website for additional resources and information