Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women

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 sisters work with survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, exploitation or abandonment in several cities.

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.

Religious communities cannot claim moral authority while failing to protect their own members from harm.

"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. 

A doctoral candidate and researcher studying victims abused by clergy in adulthood, shares her experience at a recent conference in Germany on the subject.