Four Reports marking International Women’s Day – 1. on the UN Commission on Women currently underway in New York; 2. Ambassador praises Communion, but calls for women’s equality; Anglicans, 3. Episcopalians told: “We are all complicit in human trafficking”; 4. Zambian Anglicans “played vital role” in fight against gender violence – Mothers Union role highly valued
Male focus important at UN Commission on Women, says England rep
Mandy Marshall, the Church of England representative at this year’s UN Commission on the Status of Women, (UNCSW) says that educating men and boys is key to preventing violence against women, adding that faith groups must lead the way.
The Commission, which runs from March 4-15, is designed to coincide with today’s International Women’s Day.
Writing in her blog http://cofeuncsw.wordpress.com/ on “Men at a Women’s conference”, Mandy referred to a presentation from the Sonke Gender Justice Network in South Africa outlining 10 points required in engaging men to prevent and end violence against women.
But she stressed that there must be “a focus on including faith leaders, as transformers of cultures, in the process of prevention”.
Mandy who is using social media to keep supporters updated during the Commission concluded her latest blog with: “With one in four women in the UK suffering abuse in her lifetime, and two women a week being killed by their partner or former partner, it is indeed time for action.”
Twitter: @UNCSWCofE Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cofe.uncsw Blog: http://cofeuncsw.wordpress.com/ Email: cofeuncsw@gmail.com
Ambassador praises Communion, but calls for women’s equality
“No chance for lasting peace or effective development without the full involvement of women”
Long-time champion of protection for women and children, Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury today paid tribute to the work of the Anglican Communion to end violence against women and girls.
At a UNCSW1 side event hosted by the Anglican Communion Office at the UN (ACOUN) at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in New York, Ambassador Chowdhury gave a speech entitled “End of Violence is not the End – Ensure Women’s Equality”.Introduced by ACOUN founding member Marnie Dawson Carr as a man of “effective action” Ambassador Chowdhury—a tireless spokesperson for peace, women, children, and the poorest segment of humanity—began by paying tribute to those across the Anglican Communion working to end violence against women around the world.
“I was very happy to learn about what the Anglican Communion does with regard to the issues before the United Nations, particularly on issues which effect women’s participation in society. Trafficking is a major area of interest for the Anglican Communion and I am very happy that it has been so because that’s an area that has not received our attention…Congratulations to all of you for that.”
The Ambassador, a Bangladeshi, went on to give an impassioned plea for women to be treated equally in all areas of life saying, “There is no time to lose. We need to continue our struggle even with greater vigour…We should never forget when women are marginalised there is little chance for the world to get sustainable peace and development in the real sense.”
He said that to achieve “optimal wellness” for the planet, the nations of the world had to value both men and women equally and ensure women’s participation at the highest levels of decision-making, particularly in conflict reconciliation.
In a question and answer session following the speech, one of the young Anglican women delegates asked, “What advice would you give young girls just starting on their journey of equality?”
He answered, “It is important for you to recognise and convince yourself of the inherent equality between two human beings. Try to assert that whenever the opportunity comes. Do not sit back and fear [you] will be the only person to say that. It is not necessary you have to be aggressive or abusive or outspoken in an uncivilised way. You can assert your point in gentle but firm ways.”
He added that girls should let those around them—in their workplace, community and family—know that they have determined to be equal. “I would say that you should convince yourself that ‘I am equal to everybody’ don’t take it upon yourself [to believe] this is not a girl’s area [or] this is a girl’s role. As a human being you are equal, and equal to everybody.”
The Ambassador also stressed that equality begins in the home with girls and boys being taught to treat one another as equals.
Following the presentation, Co-ordinator of the Anglican Communion’s Networks and Women’s Desk Officer the Revd Terrie Robinson said, “The Ambassador’s presentation spoke to many issues at heart of the growing Anglican movement to end violence against women and girls. The Anglican Church of Southern Africa and the Church of North India have already shown how effective partnerships can tackle trafficking in the areas of prevention, protection, and the care and rehabilitation of survivors.
“Tomorrow, the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church will be taking advantage of the gathering of Anglican women in New York to host a church-wide conversation on trafficking. As people of faith rooted in our communities we have so much to contribute in working against violence in all its forms.”
The Anglican delegation of women from around the Communion are engaging with this year’s priority theme for the Commission on the Status of Women: the “Elimination and Prevention of all Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls.”
They are sharing experiences and highlighting issues of concern as well as the progress that has been made for women in their respective regions. Each delegate will represent her own Anglican Province and bring local knowledge and insights from many countries including Australia, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, England, Scotland, the United States, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Notes
• 1The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW or UNCSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), one of the main UN organs within the United Nations. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide.
•
• The Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations (ACOUN) in New York and staff in Geneva interface between the United Nations and the Anglican Communion. Staff members convey Anglican concerns to the UN and Governments while also keeping Anglicans informed about international initiatives. In this way, they enable the Communion to develop effective partnerships with the UN and its various organisations.
Anglicans, Episcopalians told: “We are all complicit in human trafficking”
Panel members appeal to Christians to ask how they might unintentionally be supporting, and could prevent human trafficking
A panel on the issue of human trafficking told a live and Internet audience on March 6 that everyone is complicit, and needs to do whatever he/she can to prevent it.
Speaking at a parallel event of the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, the Most Revd Katharine Jefferts Schori shared a shocking overview of the extent of human trafficking around the world.
Statistics included the fact that half of all trafficked people are children, and 80% are female. 15,000 people are trafficked into the United States every year with half ending up in the sex industry. This modern-day slavery is, she said, “an act of violence against human beings made in the image of God.”
Bp Jefferts Schori, led the call—echoed by many of the speakers at the Chapel of Christ the Lord in New York—for the audience to combat trafficking globally and in their own communities.
“We can respond…by reducing the demands for the products of slave labour.” She explained that such products made in part or whole by labour slaves included coffee, smart phones and cotton clothing. The Primate pointed people to http://slaveryfootprint.org to learn more.
Lynnaia Main, The Episcopal Church’s Global Relations Officer agreed, “We are also all implicated in trafficking mainly because our demand for consumer goods. We focused a lot today on sex trafficking, but labour trafficking is something we’re all involved in.”
The Revd Brian McVey, who has been recognised by the Episcopal Church Foundation for his work against human trafficking, challenged men to “Stop buying! Stop paying for prostitutes. Stop buying pornography. 30-50% of women involved in pornography are forced to do so.”
He appealed to all Christians to pray, to raise awareness of the issue, and to “get their hands dirty” by tackling human trafficking in their communities.
Mr McVey was also one of those who stressed the Christian’s duty to address trafficking and minister to those affected by this ubiquitous crime. The Anglican Communion’s Network Co-ordinator and Women’s Desk Officer, the Revd Terrie Robinson agreed, “We [Christians] have a special place in this whole issue because we are the body of Christ in the world and we have responsibility to tell of trauma, but also of the good news of what transforming love can achieve.”
Mrs Robinson also shared about other Provinces of the Anglican Communion, most notably Southern Africa and North India, that had tackled trafficking head-on. She said the Anglican Communion has resolutions and statements calling on Member Churches to act on this issue.
Mrs Robinson added that, at its heart, the call to address human trafficking was the call to promote right relationships between men and women, boys and girls.
Other panellists were Sarah K. Dreier, Legislative Representative for International Policy, The Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Laura A. Russell, Supervising attorney of the Family Law Unit of the Legal Aid Soceity in New York City.
The Episcopal Church has launched a dedicated webpage where it is collecting a range of resources on human trafficking from the Anglican Communion, the US Government, the UN, media and elsewhere. Visit it at www.episcopalchurch.org/page/human-trafficking
Zambian Anglicans “played vital role” in fight against gender violence – Mothers Union role highly valued
The Government of the Republic of Zambia has praised the Anglican Church in Zambia for being proactive leaders in the fight against gender-based violence and has especially applauded women for choosing to speak out.
A director from the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, John Zulu, made the announcement during the International Women’s Day Sensitization Service held at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Lusaka, Zambia, on March 5.
Mr. Zulu was speaking on behalf of the Minister of Gender and Child Development, Inonge Wina. He said, “The Government values and recognises the participation of all stakeholders in the fight against gender-based Violence and the [Anglican] Church, being a beacon of peace, has played a very vital role.”
He said the Zambian Government was committed to providing a conducive policy environment where the “scourge” of gender-based Violence would be effectively dealt with.
Speaking during the same occasion, the preacher of the day, Enala Banda, moved congregants when she passionately spoke against gender-based Violence. Drawing from the Bible story of Tamar–a young woman who met violence in a place where she should have been safe, her home–Mrs. Banda bemoaned the growing levels of gender-based Violence in homes.
She said: “Women have been taken advantage of because of not being as strong as men. As women today, we are saddened by the lack of freedom that we suffer in our communities.”
Mrs Banda was saddened by the “culture of silence” being practiced in some homes where victims of abuse are warned not to talk about their experience. “We have too much incest and rape in our own homes,” she said. “The truth is ignored when the news of an abuse reaches us and victims are even held responsible for their misfortunes.”
The preacher warned of the devastating consequences suffered by victims of gender-based Violence. “That abused girl will never be the same again and can never walk with her head high. Most people ignore the [long lasting] aftermath of an abusive act,” she lamented.
She encouraged all women to “voice out our unhappiness on this special day” and reminded them to “evaluate [all] advice we receive by God’s standard” even when it comes from people they trust in order to protect themselves.
Meanwhile, the Mother’s Union President for the Diocese of Lusaka, Monica Masonga emphasised that gender is not about women only and that men equally get affected. She said: “A lot of men have also suffered gender-based Violence [but] most of them have just not come out in the open for fear of embarrassment.”
“Our socialisation as Africans emphasised silence whenever something bad happens in the home,” she said. “Women are taught to be silent to maintain their marriage and fear to come out for fear of being laughed at by their neighbours and relatives.”
During the same event, outgoing Mother’s Union President for the Diocese Dr. Fridah Sakala Kazembe, currently a Trustee of the Worldwide Mother’s Union, urged all women to “adhere to the objectives of the Mother’s Union in order to create safe havens for women and children in our families.”
“Our objectives as Mother’s Union are towards getting families together and creating safe environments for our children,” she said. “If our objectives were strictly followed, we would not have broken families and consequently we would increase safety for our families.”
She also revealed that the Mother’s Union in Zambia has embarked on an empowerment programmes for women to help make them more independent. She added, “We have even acquired a piece of land to build a girls school in Zambia where our children can learn in a safe environment with Christian values.”
Commenting on the outcomes of the service, National Director of Projects for the Zambia Anglican Council (ZAC), Grace Mazala Phiri said the idea of a sensitisation service grew out of the preparatory workshop organized by ZAC for the Church of the Province of Central Africa to find out how best the church can utilise International Women’s day.
She proclaimed: “This is a breakthrough! We [shall] be the only church or among the few that have taken such an initiative. The Anglican Church has taken the lead in advocating against gender-based Violence .”
The service was attended by many clergy including Lusaka Diocese Vicar General, Robert Kaunda and the Dean of the Cathedral, the Revd Canon Charley Thomas. Congregants were treated to an assortment of songs sung in different languages and styles by choir groups drawn from various parishes within the Diocese.