The tapestry designed as a waterfall with messages and images from communities and individuals around the world committed to end rape and violence. After the WCC Assembly in Karlsruhe it is displayed at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, and intended to be displayed in the United Nations in New York and other locations. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC As the global campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” kicks off on 25 November, the World Council of Churches (WCC), Lutheran World Federation, and other ecumenical partners are calling on us all to “UNITE! Act to End Violence Against Women and Girls.” The WCC fellowship and all people of good will can participate in the annual global campaign, which runs until 10 December, through prayers, Bible studies, exhibitions, learning, and taking action. The WCC and its partners will be raising awareness on violence against women and girls as well as highlighting examples of work by organizations across the world. Based on the UN Women’s global theme, UNITE in this case stands for Urgency, Networking, Intervention, Training, and Empowerment—all to break the cycle of violence against women and girls. How you can get involved: See the Thursdays in Black Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance. This beautiful tapestry is on public display in the Ecumenical Centre from 21 November to 21 December. Did you know the tapestry can continue to grow? Consider contributing a panel; see instructions here. Check out the panel discussion. To be held in South Africa on 24 November. Participants will focus on “Overcoming challenges to end violence against women and girls ecumenically.” The 90-minute discussion will be livestreamed by the Council for World Mission. Speakers will include: Bafana Khumalo, Sonke Gender Justice, Daniela Gennrich (We Will Speak Out), Ezra Chitando (WCC EHAIA – Positive Masculinities), Katlego Mohuba (Youth for Life-giving Food, Agriculture and Fisheries), Leith Dunn. Register here. Pray with us. Prayers during the 16 Days will be held in the Chapel of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, with services for groups and churches to use added to the liturgical resources online. Enjoy food for thought. A tray lunch at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on 28 November, starting at 12:30pm, will explore opportunities to strengthen global mechanisms to end violence against women and girls. Speakers will include: Anna Parini (Programme Manager of UN Women), Jakob Schneider (secretary, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women), and Jane Aeberhard-Hodges (director of Policy, Every Woman Coalition). Study the Bible through a Thursdays in Black lens. To be held 5 December, 2-3:30pm (Geneva time). Rev. Dr Karen Georgia Thompson, associate general minister for Wider Church Ministries and Operations in the United Church of Christ and co-executive for Global Ministries with the United Church of Christ, will lead a study on “Exorcising the Silence in David’s House” based on 2 Samuel 11-13 and Psalm 51. Please register in advance here. Learn how to address gender based violence online. In collaboration with the World Association for Christian Communication, the WCC will host, on 8 December at 2pm Geneva time, an exploration of research findings on women’s representation in the media, particularly around gender-based violence, the increasing problem of online violence, and steps you can take to monitor and advocate for an end to online violence. The 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day. “These days of solidarity and prayer will help strengthen our resolution and our hope that we can in fact move forward on the path toward a world without rape and violence,” said Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri, deputy general secretary, World Council of Churches. “We will gather safely to discuss the challenges, our wounds, and our hopes—and we will resolve to take some concrete actions together,” said Phiri. “Please join us to share, think, and pray in a way that transcends gender inequality and other social, political, and even religious lines that, at times, seem uncrossable.” 16 Days against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Just Community of Women and Men Learn more about Thursdays in Black SOURCE>WCC |