The Salvation Army's International Moral and Social Issues Council (IMASIC) has released a new International Positional Statement on Sexism, which has been approved by the International Management Council.

The positional statement reads:

Sexism is discrimination based on sex or gender, most often against women and girls and is increasingly understood as a fundamental human rights issue.

Sexism often includes a combination of prejudice plus power. It is expressed through systemic, structured prejudice and cultural discrimination and can be present in a family, communities of faith, and societal and national cultures.

The Salvation Army believes that both male and female are made in the image of God and are equal in value and therefore is opposed to sexism. We reject any view that subordinates women to men, or men to women.

The Salvation Army believes that our world is enhanced by equitably valuing, equipping and mobilizing all human beings. While valuing gender equity, The Salvation Army acknowledges with regret that Salvationists have sometimes conformed to societal and organizational norms that perpetuate sexism.

We are committed to model the equitable valuing, equipping and mobilizing of men and women, and will speak into societies around the world where sexism exists.

Positional statements are given for the information of the public and the guidance of Salvationists. The International Moral and Social Issues Council trusts this new positional statement will find a useful place in the worldwide ministry of The Salvation Army.

View and download the full statement here.