In the Book of Lamentations, the conquered city of Jerusalem is personified as “Daughter Zion,” a woman who has suffered greatly at the violent hands of her oppressor. While biblical scholars and theologians identify several reasons for this feminine imagery, many suggest that it allows readers to better identify with Jerusalem’s pain, for it is women who are most likely to experience unjust violence and suffering. In his book Prophetic Lament, Soong-Chan Rah argues that “the feminine voice of Jerusalem [in Lamentations] ... provides insight into the shame of abuse and assault that is perpetrated upon a woman.”

What was true 2,500 years ago in ancient Judah is still true today: while violence affects all people, it disproportionately affects women and girls.

That’s why the United Nations identifies 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence each year. From November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until December 10, Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of Activism is an opportunity to bring awareness to the reality of gender-based violence and work toward eliminating it.

In Canada, we also observe the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women during the 16 Days, to remember the women who were murdered in the gender-motivated mass shooting at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989.

Far too often we turn a blind eye to gender-based violence. Just as Daughter Zion pleads with those who pass by to witness her suffering (see Lamentations 1:12), we also need to recognize the reality of gender-based violence in our communities: more than 100 women and girls are victims of gender-related homicide in Canada each year; 95 percent of identified victims of human trafficking in Canada are women and girls; and more than 11 million people in Canada have experienced intimate partner violence at least once since the age of 15, most of them women.

It’s also important to recognize that gender-based violence isn’t always physical. It can include words or actions meant to intimidate, control or humiliate another person based on their gender, such as sexist jokes, unequal pay or harmful stereotypes.

While learning about the reality of gender-based violence is a good place to start, ultimately, we need to work toward ending it. The Canadian government has identified that combatting gender-based violence involves a multi-faceted approach that includes prevention, intervention and support for survivors. The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda is involved in each of these approaches.

Programs such as BRAVE offer early prevention and education for vulnerable teen girls, with the hope of engaging and empowering them so they don’t become victims of sexual exploitation.

Women at risk of intimate partner violence can attend Salvation Army counselling programs at ministries such as the Bethany Hope Centre in Ottawa, which provides support and education.

And Salvation Army-operated safe houses, such as Kate Booth House in Vancouver, Mumford House in Saskatoon and Family Life Resource Centre in Brampton, Ont., provide immediate shelter and support for women and children fleeing abusive homes.

The Salvation Army’s International Positional Statement on Domestic Abuse also provides a list of practical responses that everyone can practise in light of gender-based violence, such as listening to and learning from survivors, respecting and supporting any legal action that survivors may wish to take in support of themselves or to separate themselves from abuse, and committing to pray for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

The Bible makes it clear that all people, created in God’s image, are worthy of dignity and respect. As such, everyone has the right to live free from violence. May we each commit to doing what we can to break cycles of violence against women and girls in our communities and around the world.

CAPTAIN LAURA VAN SCHAICK is the corps officer at Barrhaven Church in Ottawa, and the territorial gender equity officer.

This story is from: