The Mary Consoler of the Afflicted Sisters work with women who have been abused or forced out of their homes by their husbands. The sisters help with counseling, shelter and assistance with income-generating projects.
The figures underscore the significance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed Nov. 25. The day also launched the 16-day UNITE campaign, which ends Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day.
This week, we want to pause midway through this series to remind readers of the stories and columns we've already published and call attention to the extraordinary work of sisters contending with gender-based violence.
As leaders prepare to meet in Belém, Brazil, women living the climate emergency in Kenya and across Africa are demanding global action, gender justice and investment in local adaptation.
The first research study into the sexual abuse of women religious in German-speaking countries has shown a common pattern of spiritual abuse with global cases and highlighted that the majority of abuse is perpetrated by men, although some sisters were abused also by women superiors.
"When we empower a young mother, she's able to protect herself from abuse, care for her children and hopefully break the cycle of poverty," Sr. Lucy Kanjira said.
Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, representatives and activists — including Catholic sisters — assessed the progress and shortcomings of the U.N.'s goals for 2030.
