Search results

How do we end exclusion, racism, economic injustice? Voices from across the world brought stories—and solutions—via online events hosted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in conjunction with the Commission on the Status of Women, the UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women's empowerment.

As they opened the new book “Waterfall of Solidarity and Resistance—sharing the stories,” a group of women in Colombia gathered to recall their journey of creative expression about gender-based violence that began in May 2022, and goes on to this day. 

A webinar on 8 March—International Women’s Day—will address the societal norms and structures that perpetuate femicide—and steps for churches to seek healing and justice. 

“Love heals. It never hurts.” That’s just one of many messages—accompanied by beautiful images—shared by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Thursdays in Black campaign just in time for Valentine’s Day. 

The Thursdays in Black campaign now has a Youth Edition, developed by young people who are building a network in support of a world free from rape and violence. 

A workshop being held 11-14 December is engaging young church leaders in preventing gender inequities and advocating for gender justice in social media and other online spaces. 

A hybrid event on 8 December will offer insights from global experts on the topic “Weaponizing Women in War.”

Stories and deep insights, prayers, and even challenging questions about the future marked the kickoff of 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence on 25 November with a webinar featuring trailblazers who have successfully intervened to bring about justice and equality across the world. 

A new book, "Ahead of Her Time: Pan-African Women of Faith and the Vision of Christian Unity, Mission, and Justice,” authored by World Council of Churches (WCC) president from North America Rev. Dr Angelique Walker-Smith, debuted on 1 November, All Saints Day, during an online and in-person reception and awards ceremony of pan-African women of faith represented in the book. The event took place at Bread for the World (USA) in Washington, DC.

Leaders of the World Council of Churches (WCC), by becoming Thursdays in Black ambassadors, are acting and speaking out for a world free from rape and violence. 

The Mothers Union from the Church of Uganda (Buganda region) in collaboration with the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy and Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance programmes have been finding strength and inspiration during the 16 Days campaign against sexual and gender-based violence. 

As a crowd of more than 300 gathered, the St Paul’s University School of Theology officially launched Thursdays in Black, pledging to build an Africa without violence and to join together on a pilgrimage of justice, peace, and reconciliation.

At a tray lunch organized by the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation on 28 November, leaders of global faith-based organizations, UN agencies, and researchers together explored the progress made in preventing gender-based violence, as well as the work ahead.

A webinar on 24 November, held in South Africa and online, addressed “Overcoming challenges to end violence against women and girls ecumenically.”

Two new Thursdays in Black Bible studies will draw women and men together in exploring scriptures in which the treatment of women resonates with today’s society.

As the global campaign “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence” kicks off on 25 November, the World Council of Churches (WCC), Lutheran World Federation, and other ecumenical partners are calling on us all to “UNITE! Act to End Violence Against Women and Girls.”

On the final day of the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) 11^th Assembly, participants are contributing to a strong visual statement of their solidarity for a world without rape and violence through the Thursdays in Black campaign.