September 29, 2008

On July 26 this year, a woman named Barg Gul was murdered by her husband in Afghanistan, a part of the world where women have few rights and where perpetrators of domestic violence are not punished. This 18-year-old woman was, according to the news report, beaten daily by her husband.

Police never responded to the situation despite her frequent complaints. But when her husband found out she had complained to the police, he strangled her to death in the middle of the night.

Domestic violence is a leading cause of death for women ages 15-44.

This incident, tragically, is not rare today. Domestic violence is a leading cause of death for women ages 15-44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. It is a leading cause of death of pregnant women. And, African-American and Native American women are at the highest risk of intimate partner homicide.

According to the Center for American Progress, recent data from a World Health Organization study on domestic violence and women's health “reveals that as many as 70% of women surveyed reported having experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime.”

Rates of current partner violence within the past 12 months varied from less than 4% of women in Yokohama, Japan, and Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro, to more than 53% of women in rural Ethiopia and 34% of women in provincial Peru.

Heal the sick

We, as people of faith and believers in Jesus Christ, the one who calls us to heal the sick and advocate for the oppressed, can make a difference in this pandemic.

People of faith … can make a difference in this pandemic.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here are some ideas for action:

1. Contact your U.S. Senators and ask them to support the International Violence Against Women's Act (S.2279). This legislation will put in place efforts linked to U.S. international aid that will address gender-violence. To contact your Senators, call (202) 224-3121.
2. Ask your pastor to preach on domestic violence. Make sure he/she is aware of local domestic violence programs for people who might contact him/her following the sermon. Go to FaithTrust Institute for excellent resources at www.faithtrustinstitute.org.
3. Find out what's happening in your own community about domestic violence. Are safe havens available for women and children who need to flee dangerous situations? If not, think about what you might do to make that happen.

Severe societal situation

Jim Winkler, top executive of the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS), writes about domestic violence in this week’s issue of Faith in Action in his “Word from Winkler” column. Other articles during October will address this severe societal situation.

Please send me details of any actions you have taken. I want to know how they are making a difference. You can contact me at lbales@umc-gbcs.org, or (202) 488-5649.

[The church] is an entirely appropriate place for these issues to be addressed.

The 2004 United Methodist Book of Resolutions contains strong statements about the church and domestic violence. The resolution “Violence Against Women and Children” challenges the church “to listen to the stories of victims and survivors and to seek information and guidance that will lead to wiser and more effective ways of ministering with persons who experience domestic violence and sexual abuse.”

The church must be a refuge for people who are hurting, according to the resolution, and it is an entirely appropriate place for these issues to be addressed.

Domestic violence resources

Globally, one out of three women experiences some level of abuse in her life. As people of faith, we cannot sit idly by while this continues. There are concrete actions we can take.

Women’s Concerns

Through the Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project, GBCS addresses issues specifically having an impact on women. Key issues of the project are HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, family planning and reproductive health, and human trafficking.

The Louise & Hugh Moore Population Project works collaboratively with other agencies and/or organizations on issues that affect women. Its partners include United Methodist Women, United Methodist General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, Women's Edge Coalition, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Religious Advocates Working Group, and International Family Planning Coalition.

More information about the project and GBCS’s activities is available at Women’s Concerns.

Women’s and Children’s Action Network

Bales supervises an Action Network that provides legislative updates, educational resources and identifies opportunities to act on issues. She issues “Action Alerts” periodically through e-mail on such topics as domestic violence, population growth, women’s, health, human trafficking, child marriage and child labor.

Joining the Women’s and Children’s Action Network is free: go to umpower.org or click on My GBCS on the General Board of Church & Society Web site, www.umc-gbcs.org. You can also contact Donna Brandyberry, (202) 488-5641. Linda Bales can be reached at (202) 488-5649.