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.)

16 Days: Day 12: Dialog on Women's Labor Force Participation and Financial Security

 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug: I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 1 Kings 17:12

Reflection and Action from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

In 2019, the Center for Women’s Global Leadership dedicated its toolkit for the 16 Days of Activism to raising awareness of the International Labor Organization Convention on Violence and Harassment adopted that year. Violence and harassment in the world of work is a global phenomenon that disproportionately and uniquely affects women, prohibiting them from fully realizing their human rights. This abuse contributes to social and economic inequality, creates vulnerability and perpetuates exploitation and precarious working conditions for millions based on sex, race, class and other social characteristics.

Discriminatory barriers to women’s integration into the workplace combine with barriers to women’s financial inclusion in accessing banking services and exacerbate the feminization of poverty. Data show that, when women have more financial earning power and the ability to decide how finances are managed, they bring positive economic change to the lives of their children, families and communities.

Episcopal Relief & Development’s programs encourage women to participate in financial decisions and to earn an income so they can provide food and health care for their families, as well as educate their children. Women participate in Savings with Education (SwE) groups, which offer critical financial and business training as well as provide small-business loans to individuals and groups. SwE groups develop micro-insurance products, village banks and cooperatives for people without access to traditional financial markets and institutions.

Read about the SwE program in Angola to learn more about the impact it has on women’s financial health and well-being and watch Josephine Hicks, former Episcopal Relief & Development vice president for Episcopal Church Programs, speak about community empowerment and SwE here.

16 Days: Day 11: Faith Communities as Safe Spaces

 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Luke 4:18-1

Reflection and Action from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

Faith communities have a sacred responsibility to create environments where all people can experience safety, healing, and the fullness of God's love. Too often, however, survivors of violence against women and girls find that churches are unprepared to respond with the care and competence that trauma requires.

Creating truly safe spaces means moving beyond good intentions to develop systematic approaches to prevention, recognition and response. This includes training leadership to recognize signs of abuse, establishing clear protocols for supporting survivors, and building networks with professional services....

In 2012, the Anglican Consultative Council requested all provinces to adopt and implement the Charter for the Safety of People within the Churches of the Anglican Communion. The Charter establishes 5 key commitments:

1. Providing support where there is abuse - Ensuring survivors receive immediate care and ongoing support
2. Implementing effective responses to abuse - Having clear procedures for reporting and responding to disclosures
3. Adopting and promoting standards for the practice of pastoral ministry - Training clergy and lay leaders in trauma-informed care
4. Assessing suitability for ministry - Proper screening and background checks for those in positions of trust
5. Promoting a culture of safety - Creating environments where abuse is prevented and survivors are believed and supported

The Anglican Communion Safeguarding Commission recommends implementing the 8 C's framework:

· Common Principles - Adopt clear safeguarding guidelines and ensure consistent implementation
 Coordinate - Work collaboratively between different ministries and leadership levels
· Collaborate - Partner with professional services, law enforcement, and community organizations
· Children - Include and meaningfully involve children in creating safe environments
· Consult - Include survivors' voices and community input in developing policies
· Communicate - Ensure all staff, volunteers, and congregants understand safeguarding principles
· Continuously learn and improve policies based on experience and best practices
· Complaints mechanisms - Establish clear, accessible procedures for reporting concerns

16 Days: Day 10: Dialog on Disaster Response

 He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Fact Sheet from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

● Globally, more than 70% of women have experienced gender-based violence in a crisis setting. Women often avoid using shelters due to the fear of sexual violence, putting their lives at further risk in disasters such as hurricanes.

● In refugee camps around the world that arise as a result of natural disasters, conflicts and wars over scarce resources, women and girl refugees are exposed to higher risks compared to male refugees. Social strains in such situations aggravate stress levels in the family, which may result in incidences of domestic violence.

● There was an increase from 33.6% to 45.2% victimization rate for women and 36.7% to 43.1% for men after experiencing Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline from Gulf Coast states increased 13% to 21% in Louisiana.

● In some cases, social constructed masculine roles increase men’s mortality in disaster situations. Many men are exposed to risky situations and even die because they believe that by being the “stronger sex” they need not take precautions and because society expects them to take heroic rescue action. For example, there were more immediate deaths among men when hurricane Mitch struck Central America, not only because they were engaged in open-air activities, but because they took fewer precautions when facing risks.

In the aftermath of disasters, the Episcopal Relief & Development disaster team works with local partners to respond to the physical and emotional needs of the most vulnerable, helping individuals and families to recover from disaster. You can read about how in the US, Episcopal Relief & Development works with dioceses to assist members of vulnerable groups in the immediate aftermath of natural and human-made disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, oil spills and other disasters.

16 Days: Day 9: Dialog on Lived Identity and Sexual Orientation

 There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Reflection and Action from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

As Christ followers, members of The Episcopal Church have a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God’s love for every human being. Bishops, priests and deacons cooperate as leaders at all levels of our church. Leadership is a gift from God and can be expressed by all people in our church, regardless of their identity or sexual orientation.

Read about The Rainbow Initiative, which is Episcopal Migration Ministries’ response to General Convention 2022 Resolution D045 “On Supporting LGBTIQ+ Refugees and Asylum Seekers”. Their goals for the Rainbow Initiative include: working with Episcopal congregations and others to bring visibility and aid to LGBTQ+ forced migrants, and reviewing and revising EMM materials and procedures in order to ensure that they are fully inclusive of LGBTQ+ forced migrants.

16 Days: Day 8: Engaging with Episcopal Policy Network

Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Isaiah 1:17

Reflection and Action

The Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN), run by the Office of Government Relations,, is a grassroots network of Episcopalians across the country dedicated to carrying out the Baptismal Covenant call to strive for justice and peace through the active ministry of public policy advocacy.

EPPN advocates for stronger legislative protections against violence against women and girls. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act has been reauthorized on a bipartisan basis four times since it was first passed, with the most recent reauthorization happening in 2022, which reauthorize VAWA through 2027...

EPPN’s spring 2019 action alert quoted the Rev. Bradley Hauff, missioner for Indigenous Ministries:

“The Violence Against Women Act is significant especially for Indigenous Native-American women, who experience, in proportion to the general U.S. population, much higher rates of domestic abuse and violence, higher than any group. In particular, laws which have made it virtually impossible to prosecute non-Indigenous men in tribal courts for acts of violence such as rape and murder committed against Indigenous women, as well as child abuse and sex trafficking on reservations, have exacerbated this problem.” (From 16 Days of Activism Toolkit)

This work aligns with the ECW support of work with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and other social justice issue. The ECW website notes:

According to research by (nativehope.org) there is widespread of frustration, anger and hopelessness in native American communities.  This is based on the fact that women/females (sisters, wives, mothers, daughters) are missing from their families with no evidence of their whereabouts. Communities are pleading for some type of justice and efforts to find their missing loved ones.  As a women organization we are advocating for answers to be found for the missing loved ones and peace be given to the survivors.

“May 5^th is the official MMIW Day and is the most widely celebrated across the US and Canada.  Every year, individuals wear red, and attend marches, rallies, bike rides, fundraisers, and more to raise awareness for the MMIW and cause and fight against the injustice that’s happening to Native women and their families every day.”(MMIW.org)

16 Days: Day 7: Dialog on HIV/AIDS Discrimination

Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Fact Sheet from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

● People living with HIV/AIDS experience high levels of labor discrimination. The International Labor Organization reports that people with HIV/AIDS have an unemployment rate three times higher than national averages.

● Women living with HIV experience significantly higher rates of intimate-partner violence than women that do not have the virus.

● Specific groups of women are disproportionately affected by HIV. An analysis of studies measuring the pooled prevalence of HIV in 50 countries estimated that, globally, female sex workers are approximately 14 times more likely to be infected than other women of reproductive age.

Every year on December 1, millions of people come together to commemorate World AIDS Day. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to advocate for the rights of people living with HIV and to memorialize those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first international day for global health. Since then, awareness has grown about the links between vulnerability to gender-based violence (GBV) and HIV/AIDS.

16 Days: Day 6: Engage Men and Boys

Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man or man independent of woman. 1 Corinthians 11:11 

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a societal crisis, and it is imperative that we engage women and girls, men and boys in combatting it so that our work is transformative. Engaging men and boys in transforming harmful gender norms and unequal power dynamics is critical to achieving gender equality. For transformative, sustainable change to occur, men and boys must see themselves as partners in the process. Men and boys also benefit when harmful norms are challenged.

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Hole, Wyoming (image above), engages men and boys, women and girls in its ministry for gender equality and justice. Initiatives include a project advocating for equitable access to menstrual-hygiene products and a forum for men and boys to examine their responsibilities to end VAWG and other forms of inequity.

From 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

16 Days: Day 5: Focus the Lens with the Anglican Communion

“For just as a body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less part of the body.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-15

Fact Sheet from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

· About 17 % of Zambian girls aged 15 to 19 are married, compared to only 1 % of boys of the same age group.

· 32 % of Kenyan young women aged 18 to 24 and 18 % of their male counterparts reported experiencing sexual violence before age 18.

[ERD and the Anglican Communion are working with African leaders to teach and inform about better actions such as the 2020 webinars during the 16 Days of Activism] including included the Most Rev. Thabo Cecil Makgoba, archbishop of Cape Town and metropolitan of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, who encouraged people of faith to make fighting violence against women and girls within the church part of the liturgy: “If it is read, if it is sung, if it is prayed, it is believed.”

 

16 Days: Day 4: Foster Diverse and Inclusive Leadership

 “In the church, too, we must avoid any implications in our teachings or behavior that men and boys are in any way superior to women and girls or entitled to dominate them. We know that the Bible was written in cultures where women were not equal. But Genesis is clear that, in our creation, [all genders] equally reflect God’s image and so are worthy of equal dignity and respect (Gen. 1:27). The same equality is true in salvation, for ‘there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ’ (Gal. 3:28).” (Archbishop Thabo Cecil Makgoba, “To the Laos — To the People of God” (2013)

Reflection and Action

The Beijing Platform states that representation of women in leadership is critical for development. Episcopal Relief & Development’s programs invest in institutional change that supports transformative leadership positions for women to help change harmful attitudes about women’s role in society. This is highlighted in the Mazi yi Moyo (Water is Life) program in Angola, a partnership with the Anglican Church of Angola.

This is highlighted in the Diocese of Aru's women's empowerment program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a partnership between Episcopal Relief & Development and the Anglican Church of Congo. Through vocational training centers, women like Brigite gain skills in cutting, sewing, and entrepreneurship. But the program accomplishes another goal: transforming attitudes about women's leadership. Brigite's husband, Orionzo, initially had doubts about her participation but came to recognize the program's importance after witnessing the positive changes in his wife's confidence and capabilities. Today, both speak out as advocates for equality in their community, demonstrating how investing in women's leadership creates ripple effects that shift harmful social norms about women's roles in society.

From 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

16 Days: Day 3: Dialog on Girl's Education

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25

Fact Sheet*

● At least 207,459 children younger than 18, most of them girls, were married in the United States between 2000 and 2015.

● One in five women in college experiences sexual assault.12 Students are at the highest risk of sexual assault in the first few months of their first and second semesters in college.

● Women who identify as lesbian, bisexual or gay are more likely to experience sexual assault on college campuses than those who identify as heterosexual.

● As of 2022, at least 38 African Union countries have measures in place that protect the right to education for pregnant students and adolescent mothers to various degrees.

A crucial tool for facilitating thoughtful and challenging reflections is the Fact, Association, Meaning and Action (FAMA) tool. FAMA is a behavior-change communication tool presented as a set of visual cards used to assist faith leaders, women, girls, boys and men in identifying and understanding various social phenomena that affect women’s and girls’ freedoms. Most cards depict discrimination against girls to emphasize links between early socialization and subsequent abuses such as intimate- partner violence.

*From: 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

16 Days: Day 2: Make a Committment

Reflection and Action

Bearing one another’s burdens requires that faith communities respond to violence against women and girls (VAWG) and other forms of discrimination and hold themselves accountable to survivors. Commit  to fulfilling the spirit and actions of the global campaign. One way is the pledge below:

We proclaim with one voice that violence against women exists in our communities and is morally, spiritually and universally intolerable. We recognize the damage that gender-based violence and other forms of gender injustice do to women, girls and society as a whole.

We acknowledge that our sacred texts, traditions and values too often have been misused to perpetuate and condone abuse. We draw upon our healing texts and practices to help make our families and societies whole.

As people of faith, we believe in the inherent dignity and divinity intrinsic to each person and are called to uphold it by Matthew 25:40: “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.”

We hereby commit ourselves to learn and take action surrounding gender-based violence by engaging in the global campaign, 16 Days of Activism, and we will continue to learn and take action after its conclusion.

From 16 Days of Activism Toolkit

16 Days: Day 1: Pray Together Beyond Borders

Each year, UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence calls people around the world to stand together in prayer, awareness, and action to end violence against women and girls. This global campaign begins on November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and concludes on December 10 (Human Rights Day). We'll be posting daily exerpts from the Episcopal Relief & Development’s 16 Days of Activism Toolkit, which the National Episcopal Church Women (ECW) will be using throughout the campaign. This resource is designed to inspire faith-based action and deepen our collective efforts to end violence against women and children.

We begin the 16 days with prayer and will continue to offer prayers from the Toolkit* throughout this series. 

From the Rev. Joann Conroy:

Woyatan lyeche Mary

Mary said, “My soul sings praises”

As we gather in your name, Creator God, we face the Four Directions remembering before you all Indigenous women and girls who are missing and murdered. We pray for those who are victims of violence, their families and communities. In Mary’s Song we find our way, loved, blessed, protected and strengthened with God who created us. We breathe. Wakan Tanka, wocikiyaye, wocikiyaye. God Hear our Prayers. Amen.

Slow breaths and read:

46 “My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

46 ēkwa Mary ōmisi itwēw, “nitahcāhk mamihcimēw kā‑tipēyihcikēyit. 47 mīna nitahcāhk cīhkēyihtam, ayisk kisē-manitow ē‑pimācihit, 48 ēkwa nikī-kiskisitotāk, niya ē‑atoskēyākaniwiyān. anohc ohci kahkiyaw ayisiyiniwak sawēyimikowisiw nika-itikwak. 49 ayisk ana kā‑māwaci-sōhkātisit kihci-kīkwaya nikī-tōtamāk mīna kanātaniyiw owīhowin. (Plains Cree)

Slow breaths and read:

50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

50 Áádóó dahodísinígíí da’ahílchííhdę́ę́’ áádóó da’ahílchííhgóó hwe’aa a’ááh hasin bił dahólǫ́. 51 Hagaan bee hwe’adziil bééhózingo ájiilaa, Diné bijéí biyi’dę́ę́’ ádaa hodzódlí yee (Navajo)

Slow breaths and read:

52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

52 Tsu-na-li-ni-gi-dv du-we-ka-hv-sv u-na-nv-di-yi, a-le u-yo i-yu-na-dv-hna-de-gi du-sa-la-da-nv. 53 A-go-nu tsu-ni-yo-si-s-gi o-s-dv ge-sv du-ka-li-i-s-ta-nv, tsu-ne-hna-i-no a-sv-ha do-u-ne-nv-s-di-yi ni-du-wa-ne-lv-gi. (Cherokee)

Slow breaths and read:

54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

54 Iye towaonxila kin he kiksuye,ca Israel ookiyeye cin he ikiye ce; 55 Hunkakewicunyanpi, Aberaham cinca kici, henan ohinniyan oie wicakicaton qon hje iyececa ce, eya, (Sioux Lakota)

WO CI KI YAYE.

*Note: The ERD Toolkit contains prayers The Heads of communion of Churches Beyond Borders have published devotions focused on violence against women and girls, timed with and inspired by the 16 Days of Activism. The devotions are written by the four bishops (heads of communion) and others representing each of the Churches Beyond Borders: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and The Episcopal Church. Each writer has been deeply involved in this work, addressing grave issues such as missing and murdered Indigenous women, human trafficking, women at the borders, exclusion of people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and domestic violence. Since Advent coincides with the campaign, they chose the Magnificat as their guiding text, offering prayer and reflection alongside the call for awareness and action. The devotions give thanks for the strong and enduring voice of Mary as she says “yes” to the angels to the angel’s annunciation and as she greets her sister Elizabeth. We share the Rev. Joann Conroy’s prayer and reflection. She is the president of the ELCA American Indian Alaska Native Association, Inc. (AIAN) and a chaplain at the Good Samaritan Society/Sanford Health in Maplewood, Minn.