September 24, 2018
Mercy Day
Today, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, marks the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence. 'Violence against women and girls remains one of the most serious—and the most tolerated—human rights violations, both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality and discrimination.' (Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka)#
For members of the Mercy family, this day and the 2015 theme of Prevention echo the sentiments expressed by Catherine McAuley who wrote, ‘ ... that no work of charity can be more productive of good to society, or more conducive to the happiness of the poor than the careful instruction of women, since whatever be the station they are destined to fill, their example and advice will always possess influence...' (Rules and Constitutions of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Chapter 2 'Of the Schools').
Today then is an invitation to refocus our efforts on and pray especially for the needs of women and girls worldwide who face violence in so many forms including domestic violence, forced marriage, enslavement, rape and murder and who are deprived of opportunity through poverty, lack of education and unequal power relations.
Messages to: Mary Reynolds rsm - Executive Director MIA
Post your own Prayer or Reflection in our online Chapel
#Read the complete Statement by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
Image: Orange is the universal colour worn on this day