Gender-Based Violence

We are UNiTING with activists around the world to seek justice for one of the world's greatest human rights violations: violence against women and girls. 

Join us for 16 Days of Activism 

This year, WM is joining the worldwide movement, '16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence'. It begins on 25 November, which is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day.

The UNiTE campaign is symbolised by the colour orange. During the 16 Days, we would love all teams throughout our Salvation Army to  learn more about this important issue. We encourage corps to incorporate it in their Sunday service, and would love teams throughout the Territory to hold an Orange Morning Tea and share the resources available here.

We know that this can be a personal and difficult subject for many people, and participation is completely voluntary. While it is essential that we speak up against gender-based violence, our resources are gentle and easy to understand. We pray this will be a time of hope and change, as well as challenge.

See below for free, printable resources, including:

• Factsheet: Everything You Need to Know About Gender-Based Violence
• True or False? Printable talking point cards
• Posters
• Shielded Site information

Male domination is the result of sin, not God's will. As people of faith, we strive to recapture God's intention for us: to live as partners in true equality, with equal status and an equal say over our lives.  

Why are we getting behind UNiTE?

Last year in New Zealand, there were  around 176,000 family harm investigations made by Police. But, studies show that a huge 85 percent of women experiencing violence never actually call the Police. It's estimated that, in fact, around 35 percent of women experience physical harm, and 55 percent experience emotional or psychological abuse. That is over half of women.

Violence against women is 'one of the world’s most persistent violations of human rights,' says the International Women's Development Agency. 'Violence against women continues to occur at an alarming scale in every country in the world.'

We are Created Equal

The creation story in the Bible shows us that God made men and women to be equal partners in every way: they co-shared stewardship over the animals and environment and lived in harmony together. It was only after sin entered the world, that the male-female partnership became corrupted by domination and submission. Male domination (also known as patriarchy) is the result of sin, not God's will. As people of faith, we strive to recapture God's intention for us: to live as partners in true equality, with equal status and an equal say over our lives.  

For an excellent Bible study providing a biblical view of equity at creation, see Raise Your Voice, Chapter 2: Naked and Afraid: What Really Happened between Adam and Eve? by Major David Noakes.