Domestic violence and human trafficking among issues Anglican women take to UN

The Anglican delegation to the 64th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW64) will be urging states to act on issues such as domestic violence and human trafficking. The delegation are raising these, and other issues, to argue that girls and boys, women and men, should live and work in relationships that reflect love, dignity and justice.

Eight women from around the Communion have been selected by the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations to engage in two weeks of advocacy, learning and fellowship. UNCSW64 was due to run from the 9-20 March in New York City; but late on Monday night (2 March) the UN postponed the meeting until later in the year because of the Coronavirus outbreak. The Anglican Communion delegation will not travel to New York this month but will continue their advocacy work.

Based on their experiences, the delegation have highlighted a number of priority areas for their time at CSW. These include freedom from oppression and human rights, domestic violence, sexual harassment, human trafficking, and the reintegration of mothers in education.

Other priority areas are indigenous women, sexual and reproductive health and health workers, media’s impact on women and girls, the role of boys and men, and women in leadership.

Each delegate has identified specific advocacy points to bring to UNCSW64 in the hopes of changing their states. Bianca Daébs, a priest in the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, will denounce the increase in violence against women in Brazil. Amal Sarah from the Church of Pakistan will be advocating against the sexual harassment of women and men in Pakistan, and the shame that is attached to it. Unfortunately, Amal’s visa was denied and so she will not be able to join the delegation in New York, but will participate from afar.

Navina Thompson, a priest in the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, will be focusing on human trafficking. Martine Dushime from the Anglican Church of Burundi will be advocating for teenage girls and the need to prevent early pregnancies. Clare Hendricks from the US-based Episcopal Church will be speaking up for missing and murdered indigenous women in the United States. Robyn Andréo-Boosey from the Anglican Church of Australia will be asking the Australian government to invest more in efforts to equip faith communities to prevent violence against women. Bridie Boyd from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia will be focusing on the negative impact that media can have on young girls and women. The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, will be speaking on women and health; modern slavery and women in leadership.

More information and news on the Anglican Communion at UNCSW64 can be found at Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations on Twitter.