Empowering Gender Justice and Peace Initiatives Worldwide

Gender Justice 1

Mark of Mission To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation 2

Galatians 3:28-29* In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. *from The Message: The New Testament in Contemporary English, Eugene H. Peterson 3

Girl Power Wolf Spirit [ justGeneration ] 4

What are some of the issues facing Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario? The Girl Power Wolf Spirit program offers gender specific training (boys and girls separate) as well as integrated programs (boys and girls together). What are some of the benefits of this approach? Why is their partnership with PWRDF so important to the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN)? 5

The White Ribbon Campaign (WRC) is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women (VAW). Campaigns are led by both men and women, even though the focus is on educating men and boys. In 1991, a handful of men in Canada decided they had a responsibility to urge other men to speak out about violence against women. Wearing a white ribbon would be a symbol of men's opposition to violence against women. With only six weeks of preparation, 100,000 men across Canada wore a white ribbon, while many others were drawn into discussion and debate. To learn more, watch this video about the campaign 6

What was your first reaction to the video? Did anything surprise you? How does the White Ribbon Campaign promote reconciliation and peacemaking between men and women? What role do men play in ending violence against women? 7

Hope and Safety for Young Women in Burundi The Diocese of Bujumbura of the Anglican Church of Burundi has been a PWRDF partner since 1992. PWRDF is currently supporting the program carried out by The Mothers Union Department which operates under the wing of the Diocese and has its own board of directors. 8

The program provides annual skills development training for an average of 20 vulnerable young girls and women aged 16-25. These young women are single parents, illiterate or victims of rape. Through the program, they develop employable skills including sewing, embroidery and cooking. The program also provides a safe environment for women in crisis and helps them to reconnect with society. Counseling and accompaniment are provided to the young women. Mireille is a twenty year old graduate of the program who became a teacher. She supports herself and her five year old son with income from the catering she does as a member of the cooking team. Hope & Safety for Young Women in Burundi 9

How does the work of the Anglican Church of Burundi and the Mothers Union support marginalized women? What are the affects of the training program on women like Mireille? What is the importance of education in the struggle to end gender oppression? 10

Theological Reflection ~We Believe~ 11