ACNS - Faith leaders, international aid agencies stand with the church against sexual violence

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Posted On : March 22, 2011 12:32 PM | Posted By : Admin ACO

ACNS: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2011/3/22/ACNS4823

> Related Categories: Africa  England

Faith leaders, international aid agencies stand
with the church against sexual violence

> From http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams,
this week welcomed senior church leaders and
international development agencies at Lambeth
Palace to pledge that the church will play a part
in ending sexual violence and to launch a Tearfund report 'Silent No More'.

In speaking about how the church can help end
sexual violence and stigma, Dr Rowan Williams
said: "It is of the first importance that
churches and all communities of faith continue to
hold before the world's eyes the absolute
priority for justice and dignity for all. We need
to equip people to become agents of change and
agents of hope. I hope this is the beginning of
the church being what it ought to be and should be."

He was joined on the panel by Michel Sidibé,
Executive Director of UNAIDS: "People forced into
sex are automatically denied the means to protect
themselves against HIV. Women and girls are most
affected and are most vulnerable to HIV. UNAIDS
will work closely faith based organizations to
ensure the dignity and protection of women and girls."

Speaking alongside Dr Williams was the Archbishop
of Democratic Republic of Congo the Most Revd
Henri Isingoma and his wife Mme Mugisa and the
Archbishop of Burundi the Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi.

Lyn Lusi, co-founder of HEAL Africa, a Tearfund
partner, works with the local church to enable
them to better support those affected by sexual
violence. Lyn commented: "Attitudes to women need
to change if a woman's lot is to get better. The
challenge for us and the church is to follow the
example of William Wilberforce in making the
change for justice for men and women.

It's about partnership as God intended, and

understanding one another's roles. The church
needs to be a model for this partnership."
The report, 'Silent No More', launched this
morning by Tearfund highlights the largely
untapped potential of the church in preventing
and reducing the impact of sexual violence. The
report documents that whilst many churches have
deepened the impact of sexual violence through
silence, worldwide churches have the potential to
respond as they are a key part of community life.
To sign the commitment or download the report
'Silent No More' please visit: www.wewillspeakout.org