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BREAKING THE SILENCE…STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR WOMEN- By Rt Rev Gary Harriott

BREAKING THE SILENCE…STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR WOMEN

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Warm Greetings to You!
International Women’s Day (IWD) will be celebrated across the globe on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 under the Theme: #BreakTheBias. While the experience is not the same for all women, the world over, women are generally not seen and treated as equal to men; many suffer as a result of societal/cultural biases, stereotypes, discrimination and violence. Women are also among the most economically vulnerable in our societies and their children along with them suffer as a consequence. Women who have disabilities, HIV & AIDS or who face other social exclusion, along with their children, are particularly disadvantaged.
We see many of our sisters struggling among us daily in our homes, families, churches and communities. It is regrettable that religion has directly and indirectly contributed to the undervaluing of women and our churches have not stood boldly alongside those who suffer from the various forms of abuse that is sadly so common in our own society. We want to take a stand alongside our women on this IWD.
Along with our men, we declare solidarity with our women, as we affirm our belief that God created women and men equal and as bearers of God’s Image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-28). We are inspired by the example of Jesus, one who affirmed women; standing with them when society, culture and belief systems would have it otherwise. The implication of this fact is that we as church must stand in support of equal rights, justice and dignity for women and girls; we must break our silence and speak and act to redress the challenges that affect over half of humankind.
This year, in partnership with the Caribbean and European Region of the Council for World Mission
(CWM), we have decided to the highlight the problem of Gender-based violence as we observe
International Women’s Day (IWD). Silence by institutions like the church, by many of us as believers and by victim/survivors has only served to make the problem worse. In light of this, we have declared Sunday, March 6 as “Breaking the Silence on Gender-based Violence Sunday”. We are therefore inviting all our Congregations to commit to working at eradication this scourge.
We congratulate the women of the UCJCI and of other denominations who are taking practical measures to provide services and opportunities for victim/survivor of gender-based violence.
We commit to stepping up our own work in UCJCI and with other partners, including our men, so that women and girls can be enabled to fulfil their God-given potential and make their contribution towards the flourishing life for all.
On Tuesday, March 8 at 11:30 a.m. there will be an online forum on Zoom (ID: 851 0712b1476;
Passcode: CWM-IWD) under the Theme: “Women - Breaking Chains, Nurturing Communities, Planting
Seeds of Hope.” It will be our pleasurable joy to have you and your congregations join the conversation.
Let us come together to put an end to all forms of violence and build life flourishing communities.
Yours sincerely,
THE UNITED CHURCH IN JAMAICA AND THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
Gary Harriott (Rt. Rev.)
Moderator

Posted by: Administrator Friday Mar 04, 2022 10:40
Categories: Domestic Violence, International Women's Day | Tags: