Justice for survivors of gender violence

Mar 14, 2014

SANDAKAN (Herald Malaysia): Some two hundred participants, mainly young people, attended the two-hour session on the One Billion Rising For Justice campaign held on Feb 16 from 10.30am to 12.30pm at St Mary’s Parish Hall. The event was organised by the Parish Youth Apostolate in collaboration with the Good Shepherd Sisters.

The event is a call to survivors to break the silence and release the stories of both pain and hope — through art, song … and whatever way best expresses their outrage, their need, their desire, and their joy. The path to justice begins with acknowledging and recognizing the violence — letting it be known.

One in three women on the planet will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. That is one billion women. The event was supposed to be held globally on February 14, when one billion plus people would rise and dance to demand justice for all survivors of gender violence, and call for an end to the rampant impunity that prevails globally. However, the event was held at the Cathedral Parish on Sunday, 16th February for the convenience of the local youth.

An insight to the campaign was presented by Sr Barbara Lip RGS through a power point presentation. She highlighted why Catholics should support the event. Our faith celebrates life, calling us to treat one another as we would like to be treated, with respect, compassion and kindness. However, women and girls are often treated with far less respect, compassion and kindness, but instead are confronted with violence and abuse. The reality is an affront to our core values and beliefs. Violence against any member of the human family can never be justified.

Sr Maria Dipal RGS facilitated the second session with slides on child abuse and violence against women. She referred to John 8:4-9 regarding the woman caught in adultery. While man tends to identify the sinner with sin, the heavenly Father instead sent his Son into the world to save everyone. ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.’ This, we recognize as ‘good news’ for we long to rediscover the true sense of mercy and pardon.

The final session was facilitated by Jellferlyne Joseph on ‘Orange Day’, its background and meaning. It is an initiative by the United Nation, a call to Unite to End Violence against Women. It is celebrated on the 25th of every month to raise awareness to prevent violence against women and girls.

We must speak out against violence against women and girls whenever there is an opportunity to ensure that the violence and suffering stops here and now. We resolve to make violence against women and girls history, so that future generations of our young people can grow up in harmony and peace, without violence.

And so today, let us rise to join together in one voice as women and men of faith, ready to speak out in solidarity with those who have been silenced; we must advocate for their right to live healthy and dignified lives. We must prevent the violence from persisting.