WCC FEATURE: In Peru, defending women’s rights takes center stage

Gaby Vela knows how to put training into practice. She thinks back to when she first  learned about Women’s Human Rights Advocacy Training in Geneva, which is annually hosted by the World Council of Churches and its partners. Kevin Maina/YTICA. 06 May 2024 “I became aware of the training through the Unity Women's Desk of the Moravian Church, where I volunteer,” Vela said. “They explained to me that the training would allow me to reinforce previous learning in gender studies, human rights in spaces of faith, and women's rights.” The training, mostly recently held in November 2023, brings together participants from different parts of the world—a global aspect Vela liked. “In addition, we would have the opportunity to participate in the United Nations mechanisms and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,” she said. “What inspired me most about the training were the participants.” Topics were also discussed by specialists—which was important to Vela—but what she valued most was the opportunity to share and learn from her peers and colleagues. “Each of them comes from different parts of the world, from different cultural environments and that was enriching,” she said. “Listening to their personal stories and their work as advocates motivated me to give importance to my work.” Since then, Vela has strengthened her work related to women’s rights. “I am giving online sexual prevention workshops for young people and adults of the Moravian Church in Latin America,” she said. “It is pleasing to have the participation of young people and leaders, who want the church to be a safe space for everyone.” Her goal is for the message to be shared by people who are agents of change. “As a social communicator I have a personal project, where I will be making video reports for social media,” she said. “Through these videos, I will communicate situations that violate the rights of women and girls.” She wants to make society aware that violence should not be normalized—and should be reported. She was also admitted into the Women’s Parliament, an initiative of the Congress of the Republic of Peru that encouraged political participation from women. “It is possible that in May we will have our first meeting in Congress,” she said. “We are a large group in Lima with different professional careers, but with the same conviction—defending the rights of women and girls in Peru.” 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of the Women’s Human Rights Advocacy Training. This year the training is scheduled for October 14-18; costs still to be determined. To express interest, contact Rev. Nicole Ashwood via media@wcc-coe.org. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland