wfn.org | Lutheran Women Theologians Discuss Violence in Namibian Society

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

Lutheran Women Theologians Discuss Violence in Namibian Society
Group Reviews LWF Document Contextually 

WINDHOEK, Namibia/GENEVA, 27 November 2003 (LWI) - Women
theologians from the three Lutheran churches in Namibia
contextually reviewed the Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
document Churches Say 'No' to Violence against Women at an
October seminar under the theme "For the Healing of our
Communities." 

In the official opening address, Rev. Dr V. Munyika, general
secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN)
alerted participants to the difference between power that
dominates and oppresses, and power that serves and enhances life.
The 30 congregational pastors and theological students also
discussed, "The Combating of Domestic Violence Act," which was
enacted by the Namibian parliament this year. Representatives
from the Legal Assistance Center explained the Act and its
implications for Namibian citizens, and introduced practical
conflict-resolution methods to the group.

In small group discussions, the women shared experiences of
violence and abuse in their communities and discussed ways in
which the church could and ought to get involved in such
situations. Rev. Angela Veii, coordinator of the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF) National Committee in Namibia, reported that
"All those present agreed that violence - especially domestic
abuse - is rife in our society, and that much needs to be done to
assist in the healing of our people and putting an end to the
vicious cycle of violence." 

The women called for support groups, counseling and different
forms of accompaniment that could help victims to overcome
feelings of shame and worthlessness, helplessness and isolation.
The group encouraged women to be in solidarity and protest
against the violence they experience at home or elsewhere, and
urged men to renounce abuse and to stand by those subjected to
it.

There are three LWF member churches in Namibia - the ELCIN,
Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia, and the
German-speaking Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia. They have
a combined membership of 887,000 people, representing about 50
percent of the country's population.

The LWF document "Churches Say 'No' to Violence against Women"
is available in English, French, German and Spanish. To order
copies, please contact Ms Priscilla Singh, Women in Church and
Society desk, LWF Department for Mission and Development, 150,
route de Ferney, P. O. Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland,
Tel. +41/22 791 64 39, Fax +41/22 791 64 01, E-mail
prs@lutheranworld.org (391 words)

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the
Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now
has 136 member churches in 76 countries representing over 61.7
million of the 65.4 million Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on
behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as
ecumenical and inter-faith relations, theology, humanitarian
assistance, human rights, communication, and the various aspects
of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in
Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is LWF's information service.
Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent
positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where
the dateline of an article contains the notation (LWI), the
material may be freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

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