16 Days: Day 16: Observe Human Rights Day, Dec. 10

 Dear God, creator of the heavens and the earth, we pray for all who have gathered globally to observe the 16 Days of Activism. Help us to see one another through eyes enlightened by understanding and compassion. Release us from prejudice so that we can receive the stories of our sisters and brothers with respect and attention. Open our ears to the cries of a suffering world and the healing melodies of peace. Empower us to be instruments in bringing about your justice, peace and equality everywhere. Amen

Fact Sheet from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

● Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination.

● The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. It is a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected...

The UN Fourth World Conference took place in Beijing in 1995. This year (2025) marks 30 years since the Beijing Conference on Women’s Rights and the popularization of the phrase “Women’s Rights are Human Rights.” (First Lady Hillary Clinton used these words in her speech to this conference.)

The Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action is a key global-policy document that sets strategic objectives and actions for the advancement of women and the achievement of gender equality... 

During the conference, the women’s consultation included a daily noonday prayer — an important pause amid long days of debate about ecumenical women’s priorities for gender equality. Twenty- six years after the conference, women around the world continue to use this communal prayer, adapted to their circumstances. The prayer above is an adaptation of that prayer. We invite you to coordinate a noonday prayer with members of your faith community.   

16 Days: Day 15: Embody Justice, Mercy and Compassion

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns Psalm 46:5

Fact Sheet

● 18 Indigenous women ran for congressional seats in 2020 — a record in a single year.45

● A record number of Indigenous women were elected to Congress in 2020.46

● The 117th Congress has a record number of Native-American women after voters elected three to the House of Representatives.

The Rev. Canon “Ginny” Doctor contributed to the 2021 “Churches Beyond Borders Joint Devotions.” She was a member of the Mohawk Nation Turtle Clan and lived for years in New York state, Alaska, and Toronto. Ordained a priest in The Episcopal Church, she most recently served as the coordinator for Indigenous Ministries in the Anglican Church of Canada. Ginny passed away in 2021 at the age of 71. She dedicated much of her work and passion toward justice for Indigenous Peoples on the continent of Turtle Island, with a particular concern for Indigenous women and girls and the disproportionate violence they often face. Ginny’s reflection excerpted from a previously published article for The Anglican Journal (June 11, 2019) under the title “Where are all our flowers going?” is a call to justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Churches Beyond Borders offered this reflection as a tribute to Ginny’s legacy and vision.

Read her words on the 16 Days of Activism Toolkit for Day 15 and more about her in the Anglican Journal.

16 Days: Day 14: Observe Thursdays in Black with the World Council of Churches

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9

Fact Sheet from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

● People with intellectual disabilities — women and men — are the victims of sexual assault at more than seven times the rate for people without disabilities. That rate increases to about 12 times for women with intellectual disabilities.44

Reflection and Action

The World Council of Churches (WCC) describes Thursdays in Black as a global movement for a world without rape and violence. The campaign is simple but profound: Wear black on Thursdays and show your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. 

The WCC invites us to share our Thursdays in Black photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, using hashtags #ThursdaysinBlack and #WCC! See the WCC video “Towards a World Without Violence”

16 Days: Day 13: Dialog on Housing Insecurity

 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink?

And when did we see you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:35-40

Fact Sheet from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

● One of every four homeless women in the United States is homeless because of violence committed against her.

● More than 92% of homeless mothers have experienced severe physical and/or sexual abuse during their lifetimes.42

● In many major cities around the country, domestic violence is cited as the top reason for homelessness among families with children.43

Faith-based communities dedicated to serving survivors of violence against women and girls (VAWG) are located throughout the U.S. One such resource is Thistle Farms, located in Tennessee. This Episcopal organization assists survivors of domestic violence through a two-year residential program that provides safe housing, a meaningful job and a support system of other survivors. 

(Shop for Christmas gifts crafted by women around the world.)