03/09/2015

From ELCA Advocacy: Learn the Facts on this International Women's Day

On this day, millions of people around the world come together to celebrate progress we have made on women’s rights and equality. Along with celebration, we must also raise awareness on the challenges women and girls still face all over the world.

Violence towards women and girls remains one of the biggest challenges with which we are faced today. It is a pernicious problem that affects women both in our immediate communities and beyond.

• Here are some facts to reflect upon this International Women's Day:
• 1 in 3 women experience physical and/or sexual violence worldwide
• More than 133 million women and girls have experienced some form of female genital mutilation (FGM)
• Women and girls represent 55 per cent of the estimated 20.9 million victims of forced labor worldwide, and 98 per cent of the estimated 4.5 million forced into sexual exploitation
• Globally, more than 700 million alive today were married as children (child brides)

Our Christian faith calls us to fight against injustice. Violence against women and girls is a social justice issue that requires our attention also.

Today, we ask you to learn more and to continue praying about this issue. In the coming weeks, we will invite you to engage with your members of Congress on a specific legislation that will help to improve lives of many women and girls around the world.

Blessings to you on this day of celebration.

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son. Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred that infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and, through our struggle and confusion, work to accomplish your purposes on earth; so that, in your good time, every people and nation may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, Amen. (Lutheran Book of Worship)