WCC FEATURE: Rev. Dr Gunilla Hallonsten on Thursdays in Black: ”Please join me as we work to change attitudes”

Our series of interviews with Thursdays in Black ambassadors highlights those who are playing a vital role in increasing the impact of our collective call for a world without rape and violence.  Photo: provided by Rev. Dr Gunilla Hallonsten 12 December 2024 Rev. Dr Gunilla Hallonsten is chair of the board for Right Livelihood, a community for social change. She is also the dean of Malmö, Church of Sweden, as well as an advisor to the World Council of Churches Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing.  What aspects of gender-based violence most concern you? Rev. Hallonsten: I am concerned about the widespread use of gender-based violence and sexual gender-based violence in war zones and conflicts around the world. On the other hand, I also see the seriousness of gender-based violence and sexual gender-based violence in women’s and girl’s daily lives. No matter their social class, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, or religious affiliation, women and girls have a right to live our lives without violence. To overcome gender-based violence and sexual gender-based violence, we must find the solution together. What is needed to overcome gender-based violence? What is your church doing? Rev. Hallonsten: We need to be in solidarity. We need women’s empowerment and we need to work with men. Toxic masculinities and those types of norms are behind gender-based violence and sexual gender-based violence, and part of the cause. We must work for the perpetrators to make progress. People must unlearn those toxic masculinities. It is also important for economic independence for women since it will create independence for women in general. The Church of Sweden has a long tradition of promoting awareness of girls' and women’s rights to dignified lives without violence since this is a deep and fateful injustice that we can’t be silent about. How will you, as a Thursdays in Black ambassador, be part of the solution? Rev. Hallonsten: As a Thursdays in Black ambassador, I hope my leadership can inspire and that I can raise both visibility and awareness of what individuals and churches are doing and must do to overcome gender-based violence and sexual gender-based violence in our communities. Please join me as we work to change attitudes and practice so that every person, everywhere feels safe and respected. Watch the video interview with Rev. Dr Gunilla Hallonsten  Watch more video interviews of Thursdays in Black ambassadors  Thursdays in Black Just Community of Women and Men         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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland