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.