wfn.org | Methodist Women Urge USA to Pay Up

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3132 notes).

Note 3129 by UMNS on Aug. 15, 1996 at 15:25 Eastern (2695 characters).

SEARCH: federation, women, children, Methodist, UN, violence,
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the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
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CONTACT: Thomas McAnally                          415(10-71){3129}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Aug. 15, 1996

World Federation of Methodist Women affirms 
support of UN, urge member nations to pay up

by Thomas McAnally*

     RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- Methodist women around the globe
meeting here July 28-Aug. 4 affirmed their support of the United
Nations and adopted a number of resolutions related to women and
children.
     The World Federation of Methodist and United Church Women
called on countries behind in their U.N. support to meet their
financial obligations. The United States is $321 million behind in
its payment, according to a report made here.
     The federation, the most widely representative body of
Methodist women, changed its official name to encompass Methodist
women who are part of united churches such as those in Australia
and Canada.
     The federation, which meets every five years, affirmed the
1993 U.N. "Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against
Women." In her report to the World Methodist Council here Aug. 14,
federation president Edith Loane of Ireland, expressed sadness
that "theology and culture are often invoked to condone violence
against women, physical and social, emotional and mental." Member
churches of the council were asked to address the urgent concern.
     On behalf of the federation, Loane expressed concern at the
lack of women among plenary presenters and workshop leaders at the
17th World Methodist Conference here Aug. 7-15.
     In other actions, the federation:
     * reaffirmed its commitment to human rights and urged its
members to increase their efforts to eliminate sexual exploitation
of and trafficking in children;
     * agreed to document critical issues facing older women
throughout the world, launch educational campaigns and report to
the 2001 assembly;
     * called on Wesleyan denominations to increase their
involvement in HIV and AIDS issues;
     * called on Methodist women to respect the frailty of God's
creation, work to eliminate wasteful use of natural resources,
encourage positive steps to conserve and renew forests, educate
about recycling, and urge passage and enforcement of laws to
control water and air pollution.
                              #  #  #
     * McAnally is director of United Methodist News Service,
headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.

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