29 Nov 2024, 09:30Sharon Platt-McDonald
Taking a Stand Against Gender-Based Violence
Taking a Stand Against Gender-Based Violence
By Sharon Platt-McDonald
BUC Director for Women’s Ministries, Health and Adventist Community Services
“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Rebuke the oppressor.”
Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV)
The call to take a stand against gender-based violence was a global initiative, evident in this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which took place on 25 November. It’s a call that resonates across borders and cultures. ‘No excuse’: A global call to end violence against women | UN News
This was followed by the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which is a global campaign raising awareness and galvanising action to end violence against women and girls. This commenced on 25 November and extends to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2024
International agreements outlining a woman’s right to live free from violence have been upheld by directives such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Speak out
Many prominent voices have spoken out against abuse advocating for change, such as Kofi Annan, who stated:
“Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and peace.”
Remaining silent on this issue allows abuse to proliferate.
As Christians, we are called to respond to this insidious evil. Addressing the source of this scourge is not just a starting point but a crucial role that we, as a faith community, must play in speaking out against this injustice.
Root causes
In a powerful article captioned: ‘The church and violence against women: redeeming a legacy of betrayal and silence’,*1 the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC) addresses the historical elements of abuse. They state:
“Research has shown there are several reasons for this, but predominant among them is an over-emphasis on submission and headship, or an imbalance of power between men and women, and a lack of care and concern for victims of domestic violence.”
Current action
This year’s activation theme over the 16 days is ‘30 Years of advancing collective action to end violence against women and children’. The campaign’s sub-theme is ‘Harnessing technology and innovation to combat gender-based violence and accelerate a gender-inclusive digital economy’.
This week, a press release by the UK government published on 25 November carried the headlines: ‘Tough new action to tackle violence against women and girls as government marks 16 Days of Activism’.*2 The declaration states:
“85% of women globally have witnessed or experienced online abuse and violence, including harassment, stalking and hateful, misogynistic content. Today’s announcement shows the UK is determined to work globally to counter this threat to women and girls.”
Addressing the wider implications of abuse and raising awareness, our British Union Conference Family Ministries department’s safeguarding policy seeks to protect children and adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding | Adventist.uk
Their policy, procedure and guidance emphasise that:
“Seventh-day Adventists believe that safeguarding the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of the vulnerable is integral to practically demonstrating the grace of Christ in our churches and communities.”*3
A Coordinated approach
As a health visitor, I worked for 7 ½ years with a very large caseload, where I supported many families experiencing various forms of abuse.
I was assigned to a mother and baby unit, working with families on the ‘child protection register’ and those identified as ‘high concern’. Robust systems were in place to identify ‘at risk’ individuals, provide intervention for those who had suffered harm, and take action against perpetrators.
I worked with multi-disciplinary teams of health and social care professionals and the legal system who sought to safeguard the vulnerable.
Religious organisations need to adopt a similar approach if we are to follow the biblical directive to “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed…” Isaiah 1:17 (NLT).
We are all responsible
Highlighting the interventions that we can all take to address this global concern, UN Women, in their article: ‘Take action: 10 ways you can help end violence against women’, lists the following:
1. Listen to and believe survivors
2. Teach the next generation and learn from them
3. Call for responses and services fit for purpose
4. Understand consent
5. Learn the signs of abuse and how you can help
6. Start a conversation
7. Stand against rape culture
8. Fund women’s organisations
9. Hold each other accountable
10. Know the data and demand more of it
Read the full article here: What we do: Ending violence against women | UN Women – Headquarters
A prayer
In an impactful prayer for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Christian Aid raises the following petition:
God, we cry to you for justice for women and girls.
Help us to dig out the roots of gender-based violence and discrimination.
Inspire us to break down the structures that silence and disempower women.
Make us united in condemning abuse in all its forms.
God, we cry to you for refuge for the survivors of violence.
May those in power recognise their responsibilities to support survivors.
Show us how to amplify the voices of women and girls speaking up for change.
Give us the courage to act against inequality.
God, we cry to you for change, for transformation.
Send us the strength to persist in activism when we face barriers.
Fill us with determination as we seek to renew our world.
May we see a day when every girl will be free to flourish and know life in all its fullness.
Amen
1 The church and violence against women: redeeming a legacy of betrayal and silence | LICC
4 Prayer for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - Christian Aid
Taking a Stand Against Gender-Based Violence
By Sharon Platt-McDonald
BUC Director for Women’s Ministries, Health and Adventist Community Services
“Learn to do good. Seek justice. Rebuke the oppressor.”
Isaiah 1:17 (NKJV)
The call to take a stand against gender-based violence was a global initiative, evident in this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which took place on 25 November. It’s a call that resonates across borders and cultures. ‘No excuse’: A global call to end violence against women | UN News
This was followed by the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which is a global campaign raising awareness and galvanising action to end violence against women and girls. This commenced on 25 November and extends to 10 December (International Human Rights Day). 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2024
International agreements outlining a woman’s right to live free from violence have been upheld by directives such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the 1993 UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Speak out
Many prominent voices have spoken out against abuse advocating for change, such as Kofi Annan, who stated:
“Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and peace.”
Remaining silent on this issue allows abuse to proliferate.
As Christians, we are called to respond to this insidious evil. Addressing the source of this scourge is not just a starting point but a crucial role that we, as a faith community, must play in speaking out against this injustice.
Root causes
In a powerful article captioned: ‘The church and violence against women: redeeming a legacy of betrayal and silence’,*1 the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC) addresses the historical elements of abuse. They state:
“Research has shown there are several reasons for this, but predominant among them is an over-emphasis on submission and headship, or an imbalance of power between men and women, and a lack of care and concern for victims of domestic violence.”
Current action
This year’s activation theme over the 16 days is ‘30 Years of advancing collective action to end violence against women and children’. The campaign’s sub-theme is ‘Harnessing technology and innovation to combat gender-based violence and accelerate a gender-inclusive digital economy’.
This week, a press release by the UK government published on 25 November carried the headlines: ‘Tough new action to tackle violence against women and girls as government marks 16 Days of Activism’.*2 The declaration states:
“85% of women globally have witnessed or experienced online abuse and violence, including harassment, stalking and hateful, misogynistic content. Today’s announcement shows the UK is determined to work globally to counter this threat to women and girls.”
Addressing the wider implications of abuse and raising awareness, our British Union Conference Family Ministries department’s safeguarding policy seeks to protect children and adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding | Adventist.uk
Their policy, procedure and guidance emphasise that:
“Seventh-day Adventists believe that safeguarding the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of the vulnerable is integral to practically demonstrating the grace of Christ in our churches and communities.”*3
A Coordinated approach
As a health visitor, I worked for 7 ½ years with a very large caseload, where I supported many families experiencing various forms of abuse.
I was assigned to a mother and baby unit, working with families on the ‘child protection register’ and those identified as ‘high concern’. Robust systems were in place to identify ‘at risk’ individuals, provide intervention for those who had suffered harm, and take action against perpetrators.
I worked with multi-disciplinary teams of health and social care professionals and the legal system who sought to safeguard the vulnerable.
Religious organisations need to adopt a similar approach if we are to follow the biblical directive to “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed…” Isaiah 1:17 (NLT).
We are all responsible
Highlighting the interventions that we can all take to address this global concern, UN Women, in their article: ‘Take action: 10 ways you can help end violence against women’, lists the following:
1. Listen to and believe survivors
2. Teach the next generation and learn from them
3. Call for responses and services fit for purpose
4. Understand consent
5. Learn the signs of abuse and how you can help
6. Start a conversation
7. Stand against rape culture
8. Fund women’s organisations
9. Hold each other accountable
10. Know the data and demand more of it
Read the full article here: What we do: Ending violence against women | UN Women – Headquarters
A prayer
In an impactful prayer for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Christian Aid raises the following petition:
God, we cry to you for justice for women and girls.
Help us to dig out the roots of gender-based violence and discrimination.
Inspire us to break down the structures that silence and disempower women.
Make us united in condemning abuse in all its forms.
God, we cry to you for refuge for the survivors of violence.
May those in power recognise their responsibilities to support survivors.
Show us how to amplify the voices of women and girls speaking up for change.
Give us the courage to act against inequality.
God, we cry to you for change, for transformation.
Send us the strength to persist in activism when we face barriers.
Fill us with determination as we seek to renew our world.
May we see a day when every girl will be free to flourish and know life in all its fullness.
Amen
1 The church and violence against women: redeeming a legacy of betrayal and silence | LICC
4 Prayer for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - Christian Aid
