We’re just over a week away from 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and this year I would love you to come alongside our partners in prayer. Could you commit to pray their prayers to help bring healing for survivors, to help break the silence and to help give survivors hope for the future?
Survivors like Hope*, who suffered in silence for far too long. She found the courage to speak up. AndHope’s prayer will be one of several that we’ll be sharing on our social channels across the 16 Days of Activism, which runs from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
I first met Hope while working in my native Uganda with BMS World Mission’s partner, the Ugandan Christian Lawyers Fraternity. Hope could be your sister, cousin or niece. I am blessed that she is my friend. Hope was exposed to sexual abuse at a young age but kept it a secret for many years. She felt she could not tell her parents or the authorities. You see, her abuser was a close relative and she feared revenge, disgrace and shame for her and her family.
Hope’s faith in God has played a big part in her journey of healing. She is now pursuing a university degree and hopes to use her qualification to help many vulnerable girls and women.
There are too many women and girls with stories just like Hope’s. 16 Days of Activism is an opportunity to let them know they are not forgotten and that we are listening. My desire for these 16 days is to restore dignity for those who have suffered abuse by lifting their heads and replacing shame by glory. I am inspired in this by the Bible verse in Psalm 3: 3, “But you, Lord are a shield around me, my glory, the one who lifts my head high.”
We will be sharing prayers from women in countries like Uganda, Bangladesh, Peru, Greece and Nepal. Please stay connected on Facebook and Twitter for the chance to pray these prayers that could transform a life.
Every blessing
Annet Ttendo-Miller
BMS Gender Justice Co-ordinator
*Name changed.
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