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General Assembly resolution 61/143 called for the Secretary-General to establish a database “on the extent, nature and consequences of all forms of violence against women, and on the impact and effectiveness of policies and programmes for, including best practices in, combating such violence.” In connection with International Women’s Day, 8 March 2009, the database has been launched. The information received from governments in response to a questionnaire forms the core of the database. Learn more about the UN’s work on this topic from the Issues on the Agenda page on Women.
Students at Union Theological Seminary in New York will be celebrating International Women’s Day in chapel on Monday, March 9.
“Persist” is the name of the student caucus at Union organizing the prayer service. Their mission statement begins by saying, “As a student group, we are women and men who believe in the affirming notion that dignity, equality and human rights belong to all people – male or female”
Elizabeth Schüssler Fiorenza wrote that “the roots and pillars of patriarchy are sexism, racism and militaristic colonialism.” These seminarians are working to empower their local and global community with awareness of and skills to reform structures and systems of domination and control related to all three pillars.
In order to plant new roots, the co-chairs of Persist believe we must learn to act together with others to transform the societies in which we live. The horizon of freedom from patriarchy is hope. On Monday, seminarians at Union will gather to sing the songs of freedom for all women in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Below is a short video the caucus compiled for use during the candle lighting communion. “By incorporating the pictures of women from around the world,” the co-chairs of the caucus shared, “we acknowledge women’s voices which are most often ignored or silenced rather than celebrated.”
more about “Video: International Women’s Day in R…“, posted with vodpod
Cross posted from Russia Today.
A 2008 International Women's Day demonstration in Delhi, India
Conference Room B was packed with women this past Thursday morning. It was a wonderful sight – and sound – and a reminder of how impoverished our decision making bodies are when they exclude women from their chambers of power. For those women who are isolated in their own societies because of their championship of gender equality and human rights it would have been a rare moment of support and solidarity.
The UN is fortunate in having a current Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, who is dedicated to building gender equality and, in particular, to zero tolerance for violence against women and girls. It will, of course, be an even healthier institution when the wall of portraits of former Secretary-Generals includes female faces alongside the male.
Mr. Ban and others do bring the possibility of this day — International Women’s Day — a little closer through working to eradicate violence against women and girls, identifying this as both a consequence and a cause of gender inequality. Mr Ban reminded us that “real men respect women”, that only men can choose to change their behaviour, and that “the time to change is now.”
The Australian slogan of the White Ribbon movement of men against violence against women and girls was greeted with great enthusiasm: “Not violent. Not silent.” It would be a true celebration of International Women’s Day if this could be in the hearts, minds and voices of many men this coming year and beyond.
Then, please God, some year soon we will have no more stories like that of an 18 year old Congolese girl raped by 4 soldiers and ostracised by her family or a 14 year old Liberian girl raped by 5 soldiers and then married by their commander. Zero tolerance for violence against women. The time to change is now!
In light of International Women’s Day–which falls on a weekend this year, Saturday March 8–Ecumenical Women coalition members have been issueing articles and resources about women. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society wrote an article on Women’s History Month in their eNewsletter, Faith in Action. Episcopal Life Online released an article about financing for gender equity, the theme of this year’s CSW, while the ELCA Advocacy department made recommendations on how best to observe International Women’s Day. Finally, the NCC’s program for women’s ministries also wrote an article honoring women’s history month, adding helpful resources and links at the bottom of the page.
Apart from the ecumenical scene, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said today in the UN programme commemorating International Women’s Day, “I am deeply convinced that, in women, the world has at its dosposal the most significant and yet larglely untapped potential for development and peace… Women are still severly hampered by discrimination, lack of resources and economic opportunities, by limited access to decision-making and by gender-based violence.” He called on everyone in the international community to increase investments in women and girls.
Ecumenical Women wishes you a fruitful and informative International Women’s Day!
