6 Mar 2025, 19:09Sharon Platt-McDonald
International Women’s Day – A Christian Perspective
“The Lord has a work for women as well as for men. They may take their places in His work at this crisis, and He will work through them” (Ellen G White – Welfare Ministry, p. 145).
8 March is designated as International Women’s Day (IWD) annually. It’s a day to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women globally and challenge mindsets, structures, and systems that have historically hindered women’s well-being and advancement. This year’s campaign theme is ‘Accelerate Action’.
Explaining the focus for IWD 2025, the campaign organisers state:
“Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases women face, both personally and professionally.
“So, together, let’s Accelerate Action to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.” *1
Biblical directives
In matters of social justice, Christians, too, have a crucial role to play in standing on the side of right and working together for a fairer and just society. The church is not exempt from this duty, but rather, it is a key player in this mission.
Micah 6:8 in the Contemporary English Version (CEV) states:
“The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands:
‘See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.’”
What injustices do we see happening today (particularly related to how women are treated), and how are we addressing them as a church? How can we be merciful in our actions as we humbly undertake what God desires of us?
Jesus’ compassionate approach to those who were marginalised was demonstrable in the way He treated women with respect, dignity and value, which went against the social constructs of His day:
“In ancient Roman and Jewish societies, women were often relegated to second-class citizenship. However, Jesus’ approach to women was radically different from that of His contemporaries. His treatment of women was revolutionary for its time, and it continues to inspire and empower women today.” *2
There should be no gender barriers or biases when it comes to working together as believers in a united mission for service to God and others.
Ellen G White states:
“When a great and decisive work is to be done, God chooses men and women to do this work, and it will see the loss if the talents of both are not combined” (Evangelism, p. 469).
Inclusive contribution to church life
It would be wonderful to see more women participating in church this Sabbath in acknowledgement of International Women’s Day. However, as the entire month of March has been designated as National Women’s Month (National Women’s History Month (March 2025) | Days Of The Year), there are ample opportunities for us to undertake the following:
1. Acknowledge older women who have served the church for many years and present them with a token of appreciation during the Sabbath service
2. Ask a young girl to read the scripture reading
3. Use young ladies to present the Children’s Story
4. Seek to develop women within leadership roles
5. Undertake discussions on what we can do as a church to mirror how Jesus treated women
6. Acknowledge historic harm done and seek ways to better safeguard females, both in the church and society
7. Access resources for nurture, empowerment and outreach to women (Adventist Women’s Ministries | Home)
8. Utilise and celebrate the diverse giftings women bring to our church community
Over 150 years ago, the call to action to ensure women were involved in ministry was made by Ellen G White when she wrote:
“Women can be instruments of righteousness, rendering holy service. It was Mary who first preached a risen Jesus. If there were twenty women where now there is one, who would make this holy mission (one-to-one ministry) their cherished work, we should see many more converted to the truth. The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth” (Evangelism, p. 471).
Global directives
Casting the vision for what the world would look like where women are treated fairly, this year’s campaign asks you to envision with them:
“Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together, we can forge gender equality.” International Women’s Day 2025
The United Nations (UN) is celebrating International Women’s Day under the theme – ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’. Also, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in the global pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
‘The UN calls for action to ensure that no one is left behind on the journey, specifically focusing on the next generation as a “catalyst for lasting change.” This incorporates three key aspects outlined on their website *3 as follows:
Advance women’s and girls’ rights: Fight relentlessly for women’s and girls’ full range of human rights, challenging all forms of violence, discrimination, and exploitation.
Promote gender equality: Address systemic barriers, dismantle patriarchy, transform entrenched inequities, and elevate the voices of marginalised women and girls, including young people, to ensure inclusivity and empowerment.
Foster empowerment: Redefine power structures by ensuring inclusive access to education, employment, leadership, and decision-making spaces. Prioritise opportunities for young women and girls to lead and innovate.
Our Christian duty
May our united voices and consistent actions as Christians join with those who seek to oppose misogyny, challenge discrimination, call out patriarchy, stand against biases and stop violence against women and girls. This is what Jesus did and calls us to do.
“The Lord has a work for women as well as for men. They may take their places in His work at this crisis, and He will work through them” (Ellen G White – Welfare Ministry, p. 145).
8 March is designated as International Women’s Day (IWD) annually. It’s a day to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women globally and challenge mindsets, structures, and systems that have historically hindered women’s well-being and advancement. This year’s campaign theme is ‘Accelerate Action’.
Explaining the focus for IWD 2025, the campaign organisers state:
“Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases women face, both personally and professionally.
“So, together, let’s Accelerate Action to speed up the rate of progress worldwide.” *1
Biblical directives
In matters of social justice, Christians, too, have a crucial role to play in standing on the side of right and working together for a fairer and just society. The church is not exempt from this duty, but rather, it is a key player in this mission.
Micah 6:8 in the Contemporary English Version (CEV) states:
“The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands:
‘See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.’”
What injustices do we see happening today (particularly related to how women are treated), and how are we addressing them as a church? How can we be merciful in our actions as we humbly undertake what God desires of us?
Jesus’ compassionate approach to those who were marginalised was demonstrable in the way He treated women with respect, dignity and value, which went against the social constructs of His day:
“In ancient Roman and Jewish societies, women were often relegated to second-class citizenship. However, Jesus’ approach to women was radically different from that of His contemporaries. His treatment of women was revolutionary for its time, and it continues to inspire and empower women today.” *2
There should be no gender barriers or biases when it comes to working together as believers in a united mission for service to God and others.
Ellen G White states:
“When a great and decisive work is to be done, God chooses men and women to do this work, and it will see the loss if the talents of both are not combined” (Evangelism, p. 469).
Inclusive contribution to church life
It would be wonderful to see more women participating in church this Sabbath in acknowledgement of International Women’s Day. However, as the entire month of March has been designated as National Women’s Month (National Women’s History Month (March 2025) | Days Of The Year), there are ample opportunities for us to undertake the following:
1. Acknowledge older women who have served the church for many years and present them with a token of appreciation during the Sabbath service
2. Ask a young girl to read the scripture reading
3. Use young ladies to present the Children’s Story
4. Seek to develop women within leadership roles
5. Undertake discussions on what we can do as a church to mirror how Jesus treated women
6. Acknowledge historic harm done and seek ways to better safeguard females, both in the church and society
7. Access resources for nurture, empowerment and outreach to women (Adventist Women’s Ministries | Home)
8. Utilise and celebrate the diverse giftings women bring to our church community
Over 150 years ago, the call to action to ensure women were involved in ministry was made by Ellen G White when she wrote:
“Women can be instruments of righteousness, rendering holy service. It was Mary who first preached a risen Jesus. If there were twenty women where now there is one, who would make this holy mission (one-to-one ministry) their cherished work, we should see many more converted to the truth. The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth” (Evangelism, p. 471).
Global directives
Casting the vision for what the world would look like where women are treated fairly, this year’s campaign asks you to envision with them:
“Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together, we can forge gender equality.” International Women’s Day 2025
The United Nations (UN) is celebrating International Women’s Day under the theme – ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’. Also, 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in the global pursuit of gender equality and women’s empowerment.
‘The UN calls for action to ensure that no one is left behind on the journey, specifically focusing on the next generation as a “catalyst for lasting change.” This incorporates three key aspects outlined on their website *3 as follows:
Advance women’s and girls’ rights: Fight relentlessly for women’s and girls’ full range of human rights, challenging all forms of violence, discrimination, and exploitation.
Promote gender equality: Address systemic barriers, dismantle patriarchy, transform entrenched inequities, and elevate the voices of marginalised women and girls, including young people, to ensure inclusivity and empowerment.
Foster empowerment: Redefine power structures by ensuring inclusive access to education, employment, leadership, and decision-making spaces. Prioritise opportunities for young women and girls to lead and innovate.
Our Christian duty
May our united voices and consistent actions as Christians join with those who seek to oppose misogyny, challenge discrimination, call out patriarchy, stand against biases and stop violence against women and girls. This is what Jesus did and calls us to do.
