30.11.2015
Gender Violence Highlighted at Mothers’ Union Vigil
Gender based violence at home and around the world was the focus of prayer and reflection by members of Mothers’ Union throughout Ireland on Saturday November 28. Gatherings took place in all 12 dioceses of the Church of Ireland and in Dublin and Glendalough, a vigil was held in Christ Church Cathedral where a series of speakers gave compelling, thought provoking and sometimes disturbing talks about abuse and oppression of women.
The vigil was organised as a gesture of solidarity with women who experience gender based violence, to help raise awareness and to encourage governments to take action on the issue. It took place on Day 4 of the ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence’. The campaign is based on the period between November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and December 10 (Human Rights Day).
Speakers included Joan O’Reilly of Rathmines Women’s Refuge, Deputy Regina Doherty, Tara Browne of Ruhama, Lydia Monds of Bishops’ Appeal, Roisin Gallagher of Christian Aid and Jessica Clarke, Mothers’ Union Overseas Contact. The worship was led by the Revd Abigail Sines, Canon Paul Houston and Canon Adrienne Galligan. Harpist and former MU diocesan president, Ann Walsh, provided soothing music during times of reflection.
During a time of extended reflection people moved around the cathedral and attended prayer stations, lit candles and wrote prayers to put on the prayer tree.
Opening the vigil in th e Crypt of the cathedral, the Revd Abigail Sines, said it was appropriate that the Church take time out to think about the treatment of women and girls around the world. She hoped that God would help them to connect with the issue and take action for someone who could not speak for themselves.
Joan O’Reilly of Rathmines Women’s Refuge spoke of the work they do in empowering women who have lived in abusive situations. “When we talk of domestic violence maybe we think of someone walking around with a black eye. But domestic violence can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial or digital,” she explained. She added that the impact of abuse can leave a woman feeling worthless and unable to make decisions. It can also have a huge impact on children. It crosses all sectors of society and is about power and control, she said.
Government TD, Regina Doherty, said that Ireland is committed to protecting women and had signed the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. She spoke about the Domestic Violence Bill and the reforms it would bring. She said at the moment too many incidents of domestic violence went unreported but she hoped the bill would enable people who experienced domestic violence to have faith in the system.
Tara Browne of Ruhama said that according to the latest statistics over 30,000 people were trafficked in Europe and 90 percent of them were women and girls. Of those 70 percent were trafficked for the sex trade. Ruhama provides a safe space for the victims of trafficking to heal and they are currently working with about 300 women, she stated. Tara highlighted the case of one woman from Latvia who had come to Ireland to take up a job as a nanny. On arrival she was collected from Dublin Airport by a man who told her she owed money for her transport and she very quickly realised that there was no job. She was put into a brothel where she was told that the other women were watching her and she was bought by up to 10 men a day. When the Gardaí raided the brothel she was in a distressed state and they referred her to Ruhama. Tara said a lot of their work targeted the sex industry which she said was not compatible with the dignity of the individual.
Education Advisor with Bishops’ Appeal, Lydia Monds stated that gender justice is at the centre of Christian faith. She outlined a theology of gender justice and spoke about the Biblical and religious influences on gender.
Roisin Gallagher, Programme Development Officer, Gender Equality, of Christian Aid, spoke of her experiences visiting Asuda, a Christian Aid partner in Iraq. With the 2003 US led invasion, women’s rights experienced another setback. “In addition to a further militarization of Iraqi society, there was a strengthening of patriarchal religious attitudes. As a result, violence inside the home increased along with violence in the street, according to a follow up report released by Minority Rights Group International, earlier this month,” she explained. Those responsible for grievous crimes escape justice or are given mild sentences and violence against women in the home is considered a private matter, Roisin added.
Drawing on the preceding reading [John 8:1–11 The Woman taken in Adultery] Jessica Clarke of Mothers’ Union said that today men continued to believe that they had the right to stand in judgement on women and cause them physical and mental abuse. “The Christian church must challenge those attitudes, in ourselves as well as in others,” she stated. She spoke of the work of Mothers’ Union around the globe in striving to end violence against women and girls with prayer, fellowship, and practical support.
The vigil drew to a close with a short service.
Photo captions:
Top: Speakers at the vigil Deputy Regina Doherty, Jessica Clarke, Tara Browne, Lydia Monds and Roisin Gallagher.
Middle – Joan O’Reillie of Rathmines Women’s Refuge.
Bottom – Diocesan MU President, Joy Gordon and Sylvia Graham who was one of the chief organisers of the vigil.