CCA urges member churches and councils to amplify efforts against violence towards women and girls
Chiang Mai, Thailand: On the 25th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) renewed its urgent call to confront the enduring scourge of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
In a statement released on 25 November 2024, CCA General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara highlighted that, while decades of advocacy have illuminated the path toward gender equality, the persistent reality of gender-based violence, particularly across Asia, serves as a stark reminder of the work still to be done.
“The CCA joins the international community in calling for cohesive and strategic approaches to address the root causes of violence against women, including deeply ingrained gender inequalities, harmful cultural norms, limited access to justice, and socio-economic inequalities”, stated Dr Mathews George Chunakara.
The General Secretary further added, “The CCA urges its member churches and councils to amplify efforts to address violence against women and girls through advocacy, public statements, and concrete actions that promote women's safety, dignity, and empowerment, which includes supporting survivors of violence, engaging in educational initiatives to change harmful attitudes, and working with other key actors to take meaningful action and work towards lasting transformation”.
Violence against women manifests in numerous ways, including intimate partner violence, human trafficking, exploitation, and femicide. These acts are often driven by deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and systemic inequalities, which continue to fuel a cycle of harm. In several Asian countries, the situation remains dire, with widespread domestic violence, trafficking, and exploitation continuing to affect vulnerable women.
The CCA Ecumenical Women’s Action Against Violence (EWAAV) initiative continues to provide platforms for advocacy and education, encouraging member churches and councils to adopt faith-based strategies for combating violence against women and girls.
The recently concluded EWAAV consultation held in Bangkok on gender-based violence and forced migration of women brought together Christian women from across Asia to strengthen advocacy for gender justice. Participants condemned the escalating violence against women and emphasised the need for collaborative, inclusive, and transformative action to address gender-based violence, social inequalities, and the forced migration of women.
