WCC NEWS: Thursdays in Black ambassadors: “The resolve to end gender-based violence must remain strong"

Thursdays in Black ambassadors have created a joint message, unifying their voices in support of “16 Days against Gender-Based Violence.”

24 November 2020

The “16 Days” campaign is an annual international initiative that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is highlighting the links between the household of God, and the fundamental need to make our homes safe and loving spaces. In a unified statement, the 17 ambassadors reflect on why it is so important to protect those who are vulnerable and abused. "We can create safe spaces for all people who are targets of this violence, especially women and girls in our societies,” reads the message. “We should promote transformative masculinities and femininities based on respect and equality.” The message also honours resistance and resilience to violence, and expresses a vision of a world without fear of sexual and gender-based harassment, abuse and violence. “And with ongoing physical restrictions due to the spread of the coronavirus, violence against women and girls has intensified,” the message reads. “The resolve to end gender-based violence must remain strong.” The Thursdays in Black ambassadors, in their various spaces, are working to effect change in policies and practices in churches, workplaces and communities. “Together with the WCC we are actively involved in preparing liturgies and Bible studies, which challenge attitudes and norms that foster gender-based violence,” reads their message. “As people of faith and of goodwill, we appeal to individuals and community agencies to stop the spread of gender-based violence.

Full statement Thursdays in Black Ambassadors Dr Agnes Abuom, Moderator, World Council of Churches Central Committee Rev. Claudia Bandixen, Switzerland Rev. Michael Blair, General Secretary, General Council, The United Church of Canada The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Rev. Dr Chris Ferguson, General Secretary, World Communion of Reformed Churches Ms. Larissa Aguiar Garcia, Brazil  Rev. Dr Anders Göranzon, General Secretary of the Swedish Bible Society Dr Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Chief Executive, Rozaria Memorial Trust Mr Jouni Hemberg, Executive Director, Finn Church Aid The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada Mrs Alison Judd, World President, World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women Rev. Dr Tapio Luoma, Archbishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland Rev. Damon Mkandawire, Hospital Administrator, Mbereshi Mission Hospital, Zambia Ms Hanbeet Rhee, Ecumenical Youth Council in Korea Rev. Dr Karen Georgia Thompson, Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Operations and Co-Executive for Global Ministries, United Church of Christ Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, Presiding Bishop, Bishops’ Conference of the Church of Norway Bishop Rosemarie Wenner, Geneva Secretary, World Methodist Council Thursdays in Black Ambassadors

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