Combatting domestic violence is at the heart of what many Mothers Union members do around the world - whether it is supporting women with practical help at a local level or lobbying governments for fairer treatment of women marginalised as a result of negative practices.
A highlight on the Mothers Unioncalendar is the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence campaignwhich takes place each year from 25 November (InternationalDay for the Elimination of Violence against Women) until 10 December (InternationalHuman Rights Day).
In Worcester a walk of witness from the Guildhall to The Cathedral to join together for a service of meditation will take place on 26 November at 1:30pm and the service will commence at 2pm in Lady Chapel.
At least one in three women globallywill experience some form of gender-based violence in their lifetime. This isone in three too many! We are passionate about doing all we can to eradicateviolence against women and men. Action takes all sorts of forms depending onthe context of where our members are based. But what is important is that theyDO take action, said Mothers Union Chief Executive, Bev Jullien.
Throughoutthe campaign, Mothers Union joins with other organisations and civil societygroups globally to raise awareness of, and call for an end to, gender-basedviolence in all forms and in all societies.
Each yearMothers Union members from as far afield as the West Indies to Australia willbe leading prayer walks, silent petitions, handing out fliers, holding vigilsand services in cathedrals and churches in towns and cities across the world raising awareness of the perils of domestic violence.
Mothers Unionin Scotland is a member of the Scottish Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuseand has been raising awareness through an exhibition of shoesentitled Souls of Our Shoes where each pair in the exhibition tellsthe story of a person affected by domestic abuse or with statements from faithcommunities and politicians.
The group has recently launched a film called "Walking Through DomesticAbuse where survivors (women, men and children) talk about living throughdomestic abuse. The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, The Most ReverendMark Strange, welcomed the film as a tool for raising awareness of domesticabuse within the community, Faith communities have a vital role to play inrecognising and responding to all forms of gender-based violence. Genderinjustice is a significant part of the Scottish Episcopal Churchs current workand concern, and through engagement with campaigns such as Side by Side,Thursdays in Black, and the Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuse, we hope tocreate a world where all can live lives free from abuse," he said.
Hilary Moran,who represents Mothers Union at the Scottish Interfaith Group on DomesticAbuse said, These 16 days actively publicise the plight against women, whetherwe talk about it, pray or hold meetings, share videos on social media or lobbyour press and governments on this issue. Ive been told by survivors howimportant it is to them to raise awareness of domestic abuse.
Mothers Unionhas provided its members and anyone interested in taking part in the 16 DaysCampaign with a wealth of resources that can be downloaded on thewebsite.
