How tragic it is to live in a world filled with injustice and discrimination! How unfortunate it is for a person to lose their dignity! Yes, it’s a bitter reality that societies face today due to the phenomenon of violence, which manifests in dangerous ways that devastate human lives and hinder their activities.
Gender-based violence is considered one of the most widespread human rights violations in the world, especially since it knows no social, economic, or national boundaries. Its repercussions are countless… It undermines the health of survivors, as well as their dignity, security, and independence, and is often surrounded by a culture of silence and stigma.
Moreover, societies face the phenomenon of gender-based discrimination, which lies in any distinction, exclusion, or restriction made on the basis of gender, and its effects are based on weakening or nullifying the recognition of women’s human rights and fundamental freedoms in various fields.
In solidarity with all the tormented and survivors of violence around the world, the Fourth General Assembly of the global “ACT Alliance,” held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, joins the “Thursdays in Black” campaign, which was launched by the World Council of Churches (WCC) many years ago, aiming to raise awareness about gender-based violence and ways to confront it to protect every woman and man, every girl and boy, and preserve their dignity in order to walk together toward a world free of injustice.
In the presence of ACT Alliance General Secretary Mr. Rudelmar Bueno de Faria and World Council of Churches General Secretary Reverend Professor Dr. Jerry Pillay, participants in the General Assembly wore black clothes on Thursday, October 31, 2024, as required by the campaign every Thursday, and emphasized the need to work to reduce this phenomenon. Noting that black is used in this campaign as a color symbolizing determination and resilience, which are essential elements in confronting all forms of violence.
This campaign aims to support victims and help them overcome their challenges, rejecting all forms of gender-based violence such as sexual violence, rape, sexual assault, physical violence, psychological and emotional violence, financial violence, deprivation of resources, opportunities and services, as well as forced and child marriage.
In truth, the campaign calls us to care for one another through knowledge and action, by enhancing awareness about thorny and dangerous topics and making efforts to reduce every threat to human life.
By:mecc
