Every year Anglicans around the Communion get involved with the annual 16 Days of Activism, 25 November to 10 December, to draw attention to the continuing realities of gender-based violence in all its forms and to recommit to bringing the gender-just values of our faith to our different contexts. This year we are encouraging cathedrals to get involved in the 16 Days of Activism.
These are some of the events and resources that helped us to pray, reflect and act during the 16 Days of Activism 2018.
Find out what we did in 2017, 2016 and 2015.
The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, offers his thoughts on the 16-Days of Activism.
The Anglican Dioceses of Belize and Trinidad & Tobago in the Church in the Province in the West Indies both hosted events for the 16 Days on the theme of #HearMeToo.
The Diocese of Belize in collaboration with the National Women’s Commission held an ecumenical service at St John’s Cathedral, and the Diocese of Trinidad & Tobago Board of Social Responsibility held a Prayer Breakfast with the President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes ORTT as their guest speaker.
The Anglican Communion’s Director for Women in Church & Society, the Revd Canon Terrie Robinson sent out a 16 Days call to ‘metanoia’: transformational repentance with a turning away from harmful attitudes and old ways.
In this TV campaign, Fijian faith leaders take a stand against rape and violence against women and children.
The Women Fellowship Leaders of All Saints Cathedral in Shillong, Diocese of North East India, held planning meetings and, for the first time, organised a worship service in the cathedral to raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism and promote gender justice.
The day before the Service a group of young boys prepared songs to use as an advocacy tool during worship and looked at how boys and men can play their part in ending gender-based violence.
The Side by Side faith movement for gender justice curated a list of 16 resources from member organisations for the 16 Days of Activism
The Anglican Church of Burundi recorded a drama on tackling gender-based violence for radio broadcast and public performances; hosted a national forum on promoting women’s involvement in leadership and decision-making bodies to work against gender-based violence; held a road show on ending GBV and HIV/Aids and offered voluntary HIV testing; and organised public marches to raise awareness.
The Episcopal Anglican Church in Brazil ran a series of articles for the 16 Days (in Portuguese). Mauricio Andrade, Bishop of the Diocese of Brasília, recorded a video message
A Service outline, Bible reflection and suggestions for advocacy were among the resources created by the Mothers’ Union for this year’s 16 Days. Services, vigils and events were held in churches, cathedrals, schools and even remote villages in the Anglican Communion, from Winchester in England to Dogura in Papua New Guinea.
In Scotland, the Mothers’ Union is a member of the Scottish Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuse which created a film ‘called ‘Walking through domestic abuse’ where survivors – women, men and children – talk about living through domestic abuse.