Focus on Overcoming Violence against Women

Kenyan Church Projects Says “No” to Female Genital Mutilation

KAPENGURIA, West Pokot, Kenya/GENEVA, 7 December 2012 (LWI) – For seven days, she ran through bushes, climbing trees to escape animals, living off wild fruits and the little water she could find. Her feet were swollen and blistered.

Having endured a painful, dangerous and illegal female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision, imposed on her by her parents, she was determined to escape a forced marriage to an old man and a life without a future.

LWF-Supported Center Helps Victims of Human Trafficking in Bangladesh

DINAJPUR, Bangladesh/GENEVA, 29 November 2012 (LWI) – On 29 January 2010 Ranjona and her cousin Pinky went to visit the holy site Majar Sharif at their village in Dinajpur district, northwest Bangladesh. At a sudden point during the visit, they found themselves surrounded by a group of people. They were knocked unconscious.

Bolivian Church Provides Alternative Livelihoods for Vulnerable Families

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia/GENEVA, 23 November 2012 (LWI) – Sundays have new significance for Saturnina Flores and her daughters. In the morning they attend worship. In the afternoon the 27-year-old mother of two plays soccer. Her life has changed.

Initiatives to Overcome Violence against Women

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Action Plan “Churches Say ‘No’ to Violence against Women,” urges LWF member churches to name violence against women as a sin and to confess to such violence, in particular within the churches.