25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, marks the start of the United Nations-declared 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, finishing on December 10 – Human Rights Day.
The campaign looks at the different forms of violence faced by women and girls. The global theme this year is, ‘Leave No One Behind: End Violence Against Women and Girls’.
The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”
ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans), the NGO that Sisters of St John of God in Australia work with to address the issue of trafficking, has announced that it will undertake 16 Days of action and reflection against gender violence, stopping to light a candle each day with a particular intention in mind.
You are invited to join us and the members of ACRATH in this activity. Each day we will post a new intention for your prayer, thought or reflection.
Prepare to participate by placing a candle in a significant place in your home, office or place of ministry which we invite you to light each day as you read the intention.
So ‘light a candle for freedom, raise your voice for justice’ (Marcia Howard)
Day 1: 25 November click here
