Sometimes we wonder why the enditnow topic is not addressed more widely in our churches. Maybe we should learn from the Women's Ministries Department in Spain how to promote the emphasis day in local congregations. (Remark of the editor).
In 2000 the UN officially declared November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day commemorates - because there is nothing to celebrate - the struggle of women against male violence in all its forms and also demands the implementation of measures to prevent and eradicate this violence that affects millions of women and girls in the world. The date was chosen in honor of the Mirabal sisters, three Dominican activists who were assassinated by order of dictator Rafael Trujillo in 1960, precisely on November 25.
To the question of why we must eliminate violence against women and girls, the UN responds - and I quote: "Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in the world today that is barely reported due to the impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators, and the silence, stigmatization, and shame suffered by the victims.
Manifestations of violence
In general, violence manifests itself in physical, sexual, and psychological forms and includes:
- Violence by an intimate partner (physical violence, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide);
- Sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, stalking, street harassment, cyberstalking);
- Human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation);
- Genital mutilation; and
- Child marriage.
For further clarification, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women issued by the UN General Assembly in 1993 defines violence against women as "any act of violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."
The adverse psychological effects of violence against women and girls, as well as the negative consequences for their sexual and reproductive health, affect women at every stage of their lives."
Adventists say NO to all types of violence.
It's no wonder we Adventists say NO to this type of violence as well.
Heather-Dawn Small, Women's Ministries Director of the General Conference, this year and under the title "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" challenges us by proposing an enditnow® program that she defines as very important and very sensitive. In her commentary on the presentation of the theme she gives us the following reflection:
"Have you ever heard the analogy that compares the church to a flock of sheep? Both the Old and New Testaments refer to God's people as sheep, the body of believers as a flock, and our Lord as the Shepherd.
"Wolves in sheep's clothing."
Last year – remember - we focused on the abuse of power by someone in church leadership, such as a Pathfinder leader, a deacon, or even the pastor. This year the proposal is to address another difficult issue of abuse, particularly sexual abuse, that occurs among those who profess to be followers of Jesus. Unfortunately, abuse occurs in churches and communities of all faiths. The impact of abuse is always severe, but the impact is multiplied when it is perpetrated by one of the sheep, i.e., a person who claims to be a follower of Jesus.
Often, we think of abuse as involving violence, but none of these cases to be discussed in the program involve violence. None of them indicate that the "victim" resisted the abuse or sought help. At the time it happened, no one recognized it as abuse. However, the power differential that existed in each case and the inability to give meaningful consent made each one a violation."
The "Wolves in Sheep's Clothing" program that Women's Ministries will offer this coming November is a candid look at abuse by anyone in a position of authority or spiritual influence, ending with a special call to both victims and abusers and everyone in general to look to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who can heal our physical and emotional wounds, feed us spiritually and give us peace while encouraging us in the assurance that He will also do justice. May it be so.
Author: Mercedes Martínez Bou, Women's Ministries director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Spain.
revista.adventista.es/ministerio-de-la-mujer-enditnow-para-el-25-de-noviembre/