Religious freedom is a feminist issue. Or rather, its an issue that touches on a lot of the problems that women all over the world face: forced marriage, lack of access to education and jobs, and a whole host of other afflictions! CSW works with some remarkable women to tackle these issues and many more head-on. Let’s pray for them this week!

• 5 February

In Cuba, the Ladies in White are a group of wives and other relatives of former and current political prisoners. They attend Mass on Sundays dressed in white to symbolise peace, before walking silently through the streets of their towns. For this peaceful protest, they are often imprisoned, beaten or put under house arrest. Please pray for them today.

• 6 February

No discussion of the women we work with would be complete without mentioning Michelle Chaudhry! Michelle is one of our partners in Pakistan and, through the Cecil and Iris Chaudhry Foundation, works hard to promote religious freedom and interfaith reconciliation in Pakistan. Please pray for energy and protection for Michelle today.

• 7 February

Vu Minh Khanh is the wife of Vietnamese human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai. Since his imprisonment, she’s been travelling and working tirelessly to raise his case. Please pray that God would give her energy and watch over her, and that she’d be reunited with her husband soon.

• 8 February

Today, please remember those women who are targeted because of their beliefs. Whether they are kept from school, driven out of their homes and communities, or suffer violence for speaking out against injustice: today is the day to remember them in your prayers.

• 9 February

We’re so excited to have Helen Berhane speaking at our conference, Pursue Justice 2017! A gospel singer from Eritrea, Helen was arrested in 2003 in a raid on a house where she was teaching young Christians. Beaten and imprisoned, she spent 32 months in a shipping container without adequate ventilation, light, sanitation or food. Helen was released in November 2006, and now lives in Denmark. Pray for Helen today.

• 10 February

Yoaxis Marcheco Suarez is an activist and blogger from Cuba. Like her husband, Pastor Mario Felix Llleonart Barroso, Yoaxis is a determined advocate for human rights in Cuba – despite the very real risks this brings. Please pray for her today.

• 11 February

Father God, today we thank you for all the inspiring women that CSW works with. We are blessed to know so many incredible women, Lord, and pray that you will guide and protect them. Amen.

>>Book your free tickets for Pursue Justice 2017 www.csw.org.uk/pursuejustice