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On this International Women’s Day, as members of the World Council of Churches and the Gender Justice Reference Group, we lift our collective voices in solidarity with women and girls across the world. We affirm that the pursuit of justice and equality for women is not just a matter of human rights but a moral and spiritual imperative—advancing gender equality as a cornerstone of human dignity.
We call for an end to the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, a tragedy that reflects deep-rooted inequalities and systemic violence. Their lives matter, and their voices must be heard.
The voices we have heard and gathered call us to urgent action. Women’s dignity, rights, and honor must be upheld every day. We must strengthen laws and policies that protect women from violence, discrimination, and systemic inequality—ensuring their access to employment, education, and healthcare. We call for fair wages, equal representation in leadership, and an end to barriers that keep young, migrant, and Indigenous women on the margins. True progress means not just survival but the freedom and opportunity to thrive.
Across the world, gender-based discrimination and violence persist. In many parts of the world, simply being born a woman increases the risk of violence and inequality. In more developed areas, wage gaps and a lack of parental support structures hinder women’s advancement. We cannot remain silent in the face of these injustices.
Education is a powerful tool for transformation. To educate women is to educate society. We must protect and defend women’s rights to education, health, and safety, recognizing that their empowerment is essential for national and economic growth.
Churches and faith communities must educate clergy and leaders to recognize and challenge domestic violence, ensuring they do not perpetuate harm. Theological language must also reflect dignity and respect, shaping a just Christian worldview.
We stand for a future where young women and girls are empowered to lead and act as catalysts for lasting change. Economic justice, including gender-sensitive taxation and fair labor policies, is essential to sustainable progress. Ending the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is a global imperative that requires immediate attention.
We must empower the next generation—young people and teenage girls—by equipping them with the tools to act as catalysts for lasting change. This includes breaking down the barriers that marginalize women and ensuring their freedom, security, and opportunities to shape the societies they call home and addressing the climate catastrophe.
As a global fellowship, we have a responsibility to educate clergy and church leaders on domestic violence issues, ensuring they do not perpetuate violence against women. We must also reflect on our theological language, which shapes our worldview, and strive to use language that respects and uplifts the dignity of all women.
Today, we do not simply commemorate but commit. Let us continue working together toward a world where women and girls are no longer socialized to accept harmful gender roles. We commit to protecting, defending, and uplifting women in every aspect of life. We call upon governments, churches, and communities to act boldly in creating a world where women’s rights are fully realized and where gender justice is not just an aspiration but a reality.
World Council of Churches Gender Justice Reference Group
