Let Justice Flow Like Water UNCSW62 blog 4

             This morning, the Anglican and Episcopal Delegations were privileged to lead worship at the Church Centre for the United Nations. Each day, a new Ecumenical Women member delegation is presenting the story of a biblical woman who overcame oppression, and presenting a symbol of that woman's journey to be left on the central focus point. It's a beautiful opportunity to ground ourselves in the Spirit as we commence our work in justice-making.

            Our biblical Shero was the Woman at the Well (John 4), whose story was told by original dramatic interpretation. We used prayer resources from different countries; the intercessions were offered by a number of delegates, in the beautiful tongues that God gave them. We sang hymns, we offered our symbol of water, and we were blessed by the Native American (Episcopal) bishop.

            All throughout, the theme of our worship was on water.

            It was fitting, then, to hear multiple references to water throughout the day. The official UNCSW Opening Sessions included addresses from a variety of experts, reminding us that women and girls who live in rural areas have significantly lower access to clean water, (20% rural, compared to 68% of their urban sisters). It was reiterated that as rural women and girls are excluded from political decisions, their well-being will continue to suffer - in areas of wage gap, literacy, and water and sanitation. We heard anecdotes of women walking to fetch water for themselves and their families, in treacherous conditions. We were provided numerous distressing statistics about the disproportional negative impact on women and girls as food insecurity increases with water shortages, climate change, commodification, &c.

            Water is a medium through which we must all recognise the inequality that exists for women and girls in rural areas.

            Water: the life-blood of the planet. The essential element for life to exist. The basic necessity to everyone, everywhere.

            It's no wonder we attach a sacred connotation to water. It's the essence through which the presence of God created the cosmos, it's the analogy for the flowing presence of justice, it's the element for our sacramental rituals. Water is ever-present and all-important.

            It was with all of these connotations that water was used in a blessing this afternoon; as we gathered around the chapel's font we prayed as water was poured on our hands, asking God to bless the hands for the work we are committed to this CSW and beyond.

            So water, today, is the conduit for justice and peace efforts, it is the mechanism for blessing, it is the reminder of our sacred connection with all of creation - and therefore with all of God's people. As such, water is the reminder for all of us to pray and act to provide equal access for all to drink deeply of the living water that Christ offers.

Why a conference about woman's rights? UNCSW62 blog 3

            Sunday our delegation attended the NGO CSW Consultation Day.  It offers the opportunity to connect with other NGO participants and delegations, hear from speakers, be inspired by stories of successes in the movement to gender equality, and learn some of the areas in which there is still a long way to go.

            One of the presenters indicated that in a recent conversation with a business-successful gentleman, he asked why she was interested in women's rights. It's the same question I've received from a number of people when I tell them that I am attending UNCSW.

            The sad reality is that gender equality does not (yet) exist.

            The good reality is that there in every place, many people are working to address this.

            Yet, the challenge remains: gender inequality impacts every aspect of life.           For women and girls, the intersectionality of challenges is staggering - and even more so for those living in rural contexts. The issues include socio-economic class, gender, geographic location, incidence of domestic violence, deprivation, education, political engagement, access to health care, etc. For those with disability or non-accepted sexual orientation, the challenges increase.

            The statistics are astonishing, the disproportionality undeniable. And so we often wonder what we can do, to have a real impact. UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka inspired us to work together to make the issues visible. Just one example was to recognise the 400 million women farm workers, who often endure terrible conditions. "They feed us, but we don't see them."

            Another speaker shared her experience in post-secondary education, were a professor refused to acknowledge women in the class, instead referring to "non-men" in the room.

            A film director highlighted that globally, 70% of those living below the poverty line are women; and that 2/3 of the world's illiterate adults are women.

            We need to see these women, to acknowledge the systemic and systematic realities that prevent their full inclusion as contributing members of society. It's a simple matter of dignity and rights.

            If we do not see them, however, if we choose to remain blind, this normalises the inequality - and that is not okay.  

            And so we gather. We gather to have our voices heard, to learn from one another, to lift one another up even as we ourselves are climbing. We gather to fight the normalisation of bad behaviour that would deny any child of God their status as beloved. We gather as a standard-setting space, to set new goals, because simply maintaining the status quo is not good enough.

            And so we gather. We fight for equality. We choose to see the beautiful women and girls that are gifts of our creator; we celebrate what they offer to the world. And we will continue to gather, and fight, and support, and uphold: until that wonderful day when we see gender equality as the new normal.

            

Say What? UNCSW62 blog 2

            Saturday we started our orientation. Women of faith gathered together at the Church Centre for the United Nations, where the Ecumenical Women Coalition led a day of sharing, learning, and worship. We sang, we praised, we danced, we prayed! As the Canadian Anglican member of Ecumenical Women, and a member of the worship team, I admit my bias when I say that today was GREAT!

            Our focus for the time of worship rests in the theme "HerStory, in Her Own Voice." We are committed to hearing the stories of women of the bible, in their own voice. Today we journeyed from Miriam's tambourine-accompanied Song of freedom, through Hannah crying through her song of desperation, and concluded with the pregnant Mary's exuberant song magnifying the Lord.

            What these women say has profound meaning, throughout the ages. And they choose their words carefully: they know that what they say and how they say it, conveys the message of their values and their intentions.

            What we say needs to be just as intentional. As the chaplain reminded us today, worship is a place where advocacy begins. When we are speaking, we need to be aware of the power of our voices, and the message we are conveying. Our message, as Christians, should be grounded in theology, ethics, and scripture: if it is not, then we fall into the trend of secularisation by refusing to use the very language that informs and supports our faith perspective.

            We are privileged to know that we have a voice - individually and collectively. We have the opportunity to use our voices as part of our work for justice and peace. We have the story of our Holy Creator to reinforce our message.

            So what is YOUR story? What is YOUR voice?  And how are you telling that story? The question applies to us all; how do we witness to the glory of God. The question also applies to our parishes, our communities. As a church, we have the forum and history of providing a strong message. One hopes that the message of today's church (in every format - whether a Sunday sermon or a Women's Group meeting) will indicate that what we are doing with our voice is faith-filled and empowering. Say what you will, recognising that not every voice will be loudly heard, but that every voice can bless and help build the kingdom of God.

New York City - UNCSW62 blog 1

            Last year at this time, I began a new way to engage in the work of gender justice. There is an annual Anglican Communion Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), and I was the appointed Canadian representative.

            It is an honour to be appointed again to represent the Anglican Church of Canada in this way; to listen and learn, engage and advocate, network and collaborate. This past year I have been privileged to speak about the CSW in a large variety of venues and formats, highlighting the work of those dedicated to achieving Gender Equality, the 5th Sustainable Development Goal.

            The Anglican Communion Delegation comprises 20 women from around the world, who commit to tae in as much as we can, so that we might return to our homes empowered and inspired to take firm actions in our home contexts. It is  truly a gift of the Communion; we are one of the most diverse invited delegations represented.

            This year's priority theme addresses challenges to woman and girls in rural contexts; we are also reviewing issues of media, communications, and information technology. I will attend discussions and panels on matters of climate change, food security, transportation, access to education and health care, and many others.

            Throughout the year, and particularly throughout CSW, women of faith intentionally connect to develop strong networks: we pray together and collaborate on ways of working through the Ecumenical Women Coalition. We participate in discussions with our national UN Missions, with regional caucuses, at round tables; we hold high the faith which permeates every aspect of our lives, and which calls us to live our ministry as equals.

            So I have arrived in New York, and the adventure continues. It is a privilege and honour to be here; it is a responsibility to be engaged here so as to bring home new ideas, new learnings, new possibilities for ways in which we, the church, might strive toward gender justice.

            Wherever we are, we are God's people: made in God's image, in God's world, equal and beloved in God's eyes. I pray our efforts will respect and uphold that sacred truth.

A Community of Heart and Justice

           Each year, around International Women's Day (March 8), the United Nations holds its annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York City. CSW is "instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women."[1]

            In addition to the commission's diplomatic members, invited delegations and interested individuals gather in parallel and side events, with focus on a priority and review theme. There is much emphasis on learning, networking, advocacy, and collaboration.

            The Anglican Communion is one of the accredited non-governmental organisations invited to send a delegation of up to 20 persons. It was a privilege and honour to represent the Anglican Church of Canada as part of this delegation in 2017. I attended numerous panels and events whose predominant themes included climate change, human exploitation and trafficking, indigenous rights, migration, and humanitarian zones. The intersectionality of these issues with each other and within the framework of women's rights is undeniable.

            In addition to the learning and advocacy opportunities, being a part of an international Anglican delegation was profound. More than a delegation, we became a community; our experience exemplifies the present and future strength of the Anglican Communion, living the truth of being one in the body of Christ. The sisterhood, solidarity, and hope from our 2 intense weeks together in New York continues via technology; regular communications include prayers and celebrations of our home churches. We are empowered, called to action, supported in prayer, and living in hope.

            So this week I am preparing to return to the UN: our beloved Primate has again entrusted to me the honour of representing the Canadian Church. With a priority theme on rural women and girls, and a review theme of media and technology, the discussions promise to be informative and important as we strive to meet the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

            My hopes for this year are high: that worship with other women of faith (through Ecumenical Women) will be spirit-led; that the sessions will be enlightening and inspiring, bolstering ministries already begun and those waiting to commence; that the friends I will meet in this year's delegation will have as positive an experience as I have had; and that the glory of the Lord will shine through all we will do and become.

            So I ask your prayers for our delegation: for traveling mercies, for confidence in the Spirit to lead us, for alliances and friendships to be formed, for finding the face of Jesus in all we encounter, for the work we do to build up the whole people of God, and thanksgivings for the gospel call to seek justice through community.

The 2017 Anglican Delegation issued the following statement to the Anglican Consultative Council,: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/289039/csw61-anglican-delegation-statement-to-acc.pdf

             

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[1] http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw