Combatting domestic violence is at the heart of what many Mothers’ Union members do around the world – whether it is supporting women with practical help at a local level or lobbying governments for fairer treatment of women marginalised as a result of negative practices.
A highlight on the Mothers’ Union calendar is the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaign which takes place each year from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (International Human Rights Day).
“At least one in three women globally will experience some form of gender-based violence in their lifetime. This is one in three too many! We are passionate about doing all we can to eradicate violence against women and men. Action takes all sorts of forms depending on the context of where our members are based. But what is important is that they DO take action,” said Mothers’ Union Chief Executive, Bev Jullien.
Throughout the campaign, Mothers’ Union joins with other organisations and civil society groups globally to raise awareness of, and call for an end to, gender-based violence in all forms and in all societies.
Each year Mothers’ Union members from as far afield as the West Indies to Australia will be leading prayer walks, silent petitions, handing out fliers, holding vigils and services in cathedrals and churches in towns and cities across the world – raising awareness of the perils of domestic violence.
Mothers’ Union in Scotland is a member of the Scottish Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuse and has been raising awareness through an exhibition of shoes entitled “Souls of Our Shoes” where each pair in the exhibition tells the story of a person affected by domestic abuse or with statements from faith communities and politicians.
The group has recently launched a film called “Walking Through Domestic Abuse” where survivors (women, men and children) talk about living through domestic abuse. The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most Reverend Mark Strange, welcomed the film as a tool for raising awareness of domestic abuse within the community, “Faith communities have a vital role to play in recognising and responding to all forms of gender-based violence. Gender injustice is a significant part of the Scottish Episcopal Church’s current work and concern, and through engagement with campaigns such as Side by Side, Thursdays in Black, and the Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuse, we hope to create a world where all can live lives free from abuse,” he said.
Hilary Moran, who represents Mothers’ Union at the Scottish Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuse said, “These 16 days actively publicise the plight against women, whether we talk about it, pray or hold meetings, share videos on social media or lobby our press and governments on this issue. I’ve been told by survivors how important it is to them to raise awareness of domestic abuse.”
Mothers’ Union has provided its members and anyone interested in taking part in the 16 Days Campaign with a wealth of resources that can be downloaded on the website. To find out more click here
Click here to watch the film “Walking through Domestic Abuse”.
‘Making a global Impact’ was also filmed in Scotland highlighting the shoe exhibition. The link for this this is here https://youtu.be/XkvqvyGVWoM. It is in the second half.
This film features Vicky a local church member, she has more to say in this article.
I’m reading ‘Without my faith life would lose its meaning’ via the FamiliesFirst app https://main-familiesfirst-mothersunion.content.pugpig.com/2018/10/16/ff61-members/pugpig_index.html
