A089 Address Violence Against Women and Girls
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,
That the 81st General Convention affirm and uplift ongoing efforts to educate and empower advocacy among all the baptized in accordance with our scriptural, theological and moral understanding for gender equity, mutual respect and human dignity; and be it further
Resolved, That all the baptized use resources available to them, including God’s Justice: Theology and Gender Based Violence, a resource produced by the Office of Gender Justice in the Anglican Communion, as a means of ongoing formation that fuels transformation; and be it further
Resolved, That Episcopal institutions and individuals participate in opportunities for activism and advocacy, including but not limited to, 16 Days of Activism sponsored by United Nations Convention on the Status of Women and Episcopal Relief and Development's 16 Days of Activism Toolkit.
Explanation
The plague of gender-based violence is well documented but little attention and research has been committed to understanding its underlying causes, and the work of raising awareness remains critical. In seeking to know more about the complexities undergirding violence against women and girls, it is imperative that such information be shared with the wider Church, partnering with organizations who care for the rights of women and girls with a global scope. Increased understanding regarding the needs of women and girls can fuel motivation to participate in advocacy, therefore both must be encouraged in tandem.
The Standing Commission on World Mission uplifts The 16 Days of Activism and particularly the use of Episcopal Relief and Development's 16 Days of Activism Toolkit, as a tool for the development of new understandings as well as ongoing commitment to the work. Ongoing advocacy keeps the urgent need for women and girls in the forefront of hearts and minds, and uniting all across the breadth of humanity as beloved of God.
Support Documents:
God's Justice: Theology and Gender Based Violence (webpage)
God’s Justice: Theology and Gender Based Violence (pdf)
La Justicia de Dios: Teología y Violencia de Género (pdf)
16 Days of Activism Toolkit (webpage)
Note: this resolution and/or its explanation contains external references, such as URLs of websites, that may not be in the required languages of General Convention. Because of copyright restrictions, the General Convention cannot provide translations. However, your web browser may be able to provide a machine translation into another language. If you need assistance with this, please contact gc.support@episcopalchurch.org.