Churches are being encouraged to create physical and virtual “safe spaces” for people who are not safe in their homes amid a “pandemic” of gender-based violence that’s taking place around the world during the coronavirus outbreak.
The World Council of Churches’ ambassadors for Thursdays in Black – an anti-gender-based violence campaign in which people are encouraged to wear black on Thursdays – have issued a statement in which they appealed to churches, interfaith partners and all people of goodwill to “actively help raise awareness, protect against, and prevent rising levels of gender-based violence during this global COVID-19 pandemic”.
“We urge everyone to care for the persons in their homes, personal relationships, and in all workplaces still serving the public good,” they said in the statement, issued last Thursday. “Violence is not the solution for frustration with or fears about the spread of COVID-19.”
Noting that they had been “inspired” by churches who have already proactively responded by raising awareness of helplines, ensuring people are connected, delivering food and providing for basic needs, the ambassadors encouraged churches “to be involved in creating physical and virtual safe spaces for those who are not safe in their homes”.
“This can include support to local professionals and caregivers in the field of sexual and gender-based violence through prayer, space, materials, and money,” they said.
The ambassadors also urged people to “look beyond the current crisis” and “renew our resolve to address the root causes of sexual and gender-based violence that are only exacerbated during conflicts and crises”.
“Rather than wish for a return to ‘normal’, which has perpetuated gender-based inequities and disparities, we can more firmly proclaim our vision for societies based on justice and peace that ultimately reduce vulnerabilities for all.”
The 13 ambassadors include Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, Alison Judd, world president of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, Rev Dr Anders Göranzon, general secretary of the Swedish Bible Society, Rev Elizabeth A Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Rev Dr Chris Ferguson, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches and Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, Presiding Bishop Elect of the Bishops’ Conference of the Church of Norway.
