Churches mark White Ribbon Day and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

People of all faiths mark White Ribbon Day each year on what has become known as White Ribbon Sunday, the first Sunday following the 25th November. Chief Exec Anthea Sully honoured the lives lost to men’s violence against women at Rochester Cathedral this year.

Earlier in November, Rochester Cathedral held a special evensong for White Ribbon UK. A candle was lit for each woman who lost their lives to men’s violence in the last year, with their names read out.

White Ribbon UK Chief Executive, Anthea Sully, gave the address, saying, “If we are to prevent violence against women and girls, all of us - men women, communities and organisations including our churches - need to engage effectively and meaningfully. We cannot ignore the male behaviours and cultures that can encourage violence. Change will happen if we have in place ways to ensure women are supported, that men listen to women’s experiences and are prepared to speak up and speak out. The White Ribbon theme for 2023 is #ChangeTheStory – by working together, women and men, we can really change the world, where women and girls are able to lead their lives free from violence and the fear of violence. Violence and injustice are not inevitable. We can change this.”

Below are some prayers from Simon Burton-Jones, Bishop of Tonbridge, that you may find helpful at this time. We recognise that people of all faiths will be marking the very sad loss of women, and we invite you to email White Ribbon UK with prayers you may be finding helpful too.

PRAYERS FOR SIXTEEN DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

We pray for women experiencing domestic violence in their homes, where a natural haven has become a place of terror; where physical wounds have been made and emotional scars that will last longer still. May there be a lifeline today for those who are drowning in fear.

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for women’s refuges and those finding temporary residence in them. Give them the safety they crave and may they be surrounded by the kindness of strangers. We pray for children fleeing with them and all who have been traumatised by witnessing domestic violence. May women and children find secure new homes, free from stalking and intimidation.

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for women experiencing threats, abuse and intimidation on social media. Protect their lives and surround them with words of comfort and encouragement. We pray the tide of online misogyny may be stemmed and the hateful platforms that enable it hindered. Help experts to build a safer internet.

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We pray for the many women and girls sexually abused in the course of war and conflict; for those on the refugee trail and subject to the sadistic whims of traffickers and guards; for those enduring slavery at the hands of merciless enforcers. We pray for the agencies seeking to help them; may people they meet incidentally show compassion and respect. And may those wounded deeply in their souls be tended to in ways only your gentle and grace-filled Spirit can provide.

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.

We give thanks for the work of all agencies, like White Ribbon, seeking to bring relief and change prevailing cultures of misogyny. Help us all to create a world where women and girls find the respect and equality they deserve and may flourish in God’s purposes for their lives; a world where no voice is stifled, gifts are expressed and the joy of life in all its fulness overflows.

Lord, in your mercy: hear our prayer.