16 Days of Activism - Reflection by Dean Sue

Yesterday was the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.  Worldwide there are 1.3 million women who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse.

Each year the world wide Mothers’ Union joins this United Nations international campaign with fellow members and many other organisations around the world. They do this as part of their membership of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

The 16 Days of Activism begins on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and ends on 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

The Mothers’ Union in Liverpool will be joining in with other Mother’s Union groups to raise awareness of gender-based violence and will be praying for men and women caught in a cycle of abuse.  This year the Mother’s Union are highlighting the ‘No More 1 in 3 campaign.’ This campaign raises awareness to the fact that 1 in 3 women across the world experience domestic or sexual abuse.

The events planned will be a lot different from last year’s event when Mother’s Union members from all over Liverpool Diocese gathered together in the Cathedral for a service and vigil and lectures to raise awareness.

This year, for the 16 days of Activism there is a prayer station in the Cathedral which is in the Well. There is the opportunity to come and light a candle, to prayer, and meditate. All are welcome to come and pray for the many men and women who are and have been affected by gender-based violence.  

Over the year members across the Diocese have been supporting their local Women’s Refuges and Domestic Abuse Services by providing them with toiletries and other essential items for emergency overnight accommodation for victims (many of whom leave home in a hurry without belongings for themselves or their children). Supermarket food vouchers are also given to help those affected and displaced to be fed. The Deaneries in the Diocese of Liverpool are also lobbying local Councils and Members of Parliament to support the 16 Days of Activism and address the rising number of domestic abuse cases.

We live in very challenging times and the COVID pandemic will have exacerbated violence in the home. Our treatment and response to every human being should be one of respect. Genesis 1:23 clearly reveals to us that God created everyone in God’s image. We all have a contribution to make to society, each other and the world. We all bring different gifts and different ways of being. God’s world is a very rich world if only we can respect and value the other person who will always be different to us - different in terms of race, culture background, faith, personality or gender. All we have to is accept them as they are and recognise that each of us has a place in God’s world.

So as we begin this 16 Days of Activism please do pray for the victims of gender-based violence and do take time out to come to the Cathedral and light a candle, a candle of hope.
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Dean Sue

While you're here:
Why not prepare for next Sunday's worship? Our preparation sheet for adults and for children can be accessed by clicking on the Resources tab of this website: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html.