Many religious or belief communities which experience violations often share a common ethnicity and/or are indigenous groups. They also tend to experience violations of intersecting civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as of ‘third generation rights’, such as the right to a healthy environment.
This week we are praying for women and girls who, in addition to experiencing intersecting violations alongside the rest of their communities, also face gendered abuses on account of their religion or belief.
Sunday 20 November
When Consepción’s family’s water supply was cut off because of their religious beliefs, she was forced to travel by truck twice a day to buy water – a task that fell mostly to her, because of cultural practices in her community. Many indigenous women in Mexico are in a similar situation: the injustices they face because of their religious beliefs can come with unique additional hardship because of their gender.
Ask God to strengthen these women and to change the hearts of the authorities to move them to restore access to water and electricity to all, whatever their religious beliefs.
Monday 21 November
Thank God for the courage that Consepción and other women displayed in sharing their experiences with us for our ‘Let her be heard’ report on indigenous religious minority women in Mexico. Pray that the international community and the Mexican government would listen to their perspectives and take action to restore and protect their basic rights.
Tuesday 22 November
In Pakistan, Hindu and Christian girls are regularly targeted for abduction, forced marriage and forced conversion, as are Christian girls in northern Nigeria’s shari’a states. Pray that these girls will be rescued and receive justice, and for perpetrators to be held to account.
Wednesday 23 November
Lift up in prayer Uyghur women detained in ‘re-education camps’ in Xinjiang, China – many of whom experience forced abortion, sterilisation, torture, or sexual and gender-based violence – asking God to heal and deliver them.
Thursday 24 November
Pray for the return of an estimated 2,000-3,000 Iraqi Yazidi women and girls who were forced into sexual slavery by the Islamic State in 2014, and who remain missing. Pray also for protection and healing for ethnic minority women in Myanmar/Burma, who are often also religious minorities, and are targeted for systematic rape.
Friday 25 November
Today on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, pause to remember the women all over the world who experience violence because of their religion or belief; ask God to deliver them, protect them, and help them recover from their experiences.
Saturday 26 November
Lord, we ask for healing and justice for women and girls from targeted religious or belief communities who experience gender-specific violations. Rescue those who have been abducted; release those imprisoned unjustly; deliver those facing violence of any kind and provide for those who are being deprived of amenities.
In your holy Name we pray, Amen.