Mennonite Central Committee

Advent, Season of Waiting and Longing for an End to Violence

Elsie Wiebe Klingler
December 2006

I dreamt I held you in my arms, safe and warm
I woke to tears falling silently.
My heart is heavy and burdened
smothered with grief so hard to bear.
Please return to me and let me gently touch your cheek
if only in my dreams.

In Northern BC, in Canada there is a stretch of highway, which has been named the Highway of Tears. Amnesty International estimates that 32 aboriginal Canadian women have gone missing along that highway in the last three decades, which runs from Prince Rupert to Prince George. The poem above was scribbled alongside a painted facemask, part of an art show by local artists of Smithers, BC which commemorates the missing women.

In Canada on December 6, vigils, discussions and other reflections on violence against women were held across the country. Canadian flags on federal buildings including the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill were flown half-mast and parliament along with others, observed a minute of silence as a commitment to end violence against women. This date is National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre of 14 women students. These women were shot to death by a man who singled out women students to kill, ordering men present to leave and screaming that he hated "feminists".

The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, inviting governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities to raise public awareness of the problem on this day. This date came from the brutal assassination in 1961, of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo (1930-1961). This date is also known as White Ribbon Day, a campaign initiated by men to end violence against women.

November 25 to December 10 marks the period known as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an international campaign originating from the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates International Day Against Violence Against Women and International Human Rights Day in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including December 1, which is World AIDS Day.

In Rwanda the United Nations estimates that between 250,000 and 500,000 rapes were committed during the genocide of 1994. "Degradation was integral to the physical violence, with some women being made to parade naked or perform various humiliating acts at the bidding of soldiers and militia.

Compounding the trauma of being victims and witnesses of horrendous brutality, many women raped during 1994 now suffer the reality of living with sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS with little hope of legal recourse, medical care or compensation." (www.amnesty.org/actforwomen)

Similar examples of rape as a war crime could be given of other countries engaged in violent political conflict. During wartime, rape is often used as a weapon against women, children and men; this is as true in current situations of conflict as it has been in centuries gone by.

Even in the absence of war, around the world women are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence, and the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden. Remembering commemorative dates and participating in campaigns to end violence against women is important though not a substitute for the more extensive structural and attitudinal changes which are needed.

Honestly acknowledging the reality and extent of male violence towards women is necessary for us to be as effective as possible in our work towards ending violence towards all. This is no way minimizes nor negates the fact that men who experience violence and abuse are also deserving of justice, safety and care. Our advocacy must aim for an end to all forms of violence and abuse. To do this work well we must acknowledge the gendered nature of violence.

Violence towards women is part of a trajectory where life for women is less privileged and less safe than it is for men, which at this point in history, is a reality around the world. An end to violence is an integral part of the movement to end sexism, bring equality and equity, and works toward creating safety for women, which will bring about increased safety for all.

Remember the realities of violence midst a season of celebration and hope is not a new tradition. These December realities are as true today as they were in the first Christmas season. For many, the Christmas season is a painful reminder of grief or loss. For people who have witnessed or personally suffered violence, abuse and other forms of oppression, Christmas can be a particularly difficult season.

For Christians, Advent is the season for waiting and preparing for the coming of the Christ child who would bring freedom from oppression. In the biblical account of the Christmas story, Mary prays longingly for justice for those who are helpless, hungry or who experienced various forms of injustice (Luke 2). Though the coming of Christ is all about hope, joy and good news, the birth of Christ happened in the context of significant brutal loss for women, men and children through the government ordered death of boys aged 2 and under (Matthew 2:16-18).

 

This December, as we anticipate Christmas may our longing and actions also be for the gift of increased safety, particularly for women who are at risk of violence. Below are some links for more information, suggestions for action and some worship resources.

O God, unite us with your grace and wisdom.
Shower your blessings upon us as we look forward to the age of peace,
when violence is banished,
both women and men are able to love and to be loved,
and the work and wealth of our world is justly shared.
We look forward to the future in faith and hope.
May it come soon. Amen.

More prayers and resources are from the Philippines and available at:
www.ncca.org.au

 

The Psalms provide some wonderful laments which can be meaningful when we mourn or feel angry or afraid...

My heart is torn with anguish
and the terrors of death come upon me.
Fear and trembling overwhelm me
and I shudder from head to foot.
Oh that I had the wings of a dove
to fly away and be at rest!
But I will call upon God;
Yahweh will save me.

Psalm 55: 4-6 & 16

 

Further reading and action

 

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