Rome (NEV), May 3, 2020 – The Federation of Protestant Women in Italy (FDEI) adheres to the Declaration of the Ecumenical Council of Churches (CEC) of April 23, 2020 on the double pandemic of COVID-19 and of sexual and gender-based violence, as part of the permanent “Black Thursday” campaign (#ThursdaysinBlack).
FDEI “invites churches to facilitate and promote safe, physical and virtual spaces, for those who do not find a place of protection and security in their home. FDEI is aware that the effects of confinement measures, the loss of work and the absolute vulnerability of people who are already on the margins of society cause much concern. Gender-based violence along with other forms of violence and oppression are exacerbated during times of crisis”, reads the press release issued on April 24.
Protestant women also encourage “the sisters to seek pastoral assistance and to turn to social services or local associations if they experience stress and if they need support to take care and protect themselves in their daily life.
The press release has already received many adhesions, as the FDEI president, pastor Gabriela Lio, declared to the NEV Agency. Lio, through the document, asks all women and in particular those who join the Federation to actively participate in the “Thursday in black” campaign “by publishing on their social channels a photograph with the inscription: “Black Thursday: for a world without rape and violence”. It is recommended the use of the hashtag #ThursdaysinBlack and to share it directly in the FDEI Facebook group or by sending it to the email address gabriela.lio@icloud.com, in order to be subsequently disclosed on-line and increase the visibility of the common commitment against violence on women.
The worldwide campaign “Thursday in Black” / # ThursdaysinBlack promoted by the CEC has among its objectives that of denouncing and overcoming rape, abuse and gender injustice. It is now a global movement involving thousands of people, associations, churches and testimonials.
, May 3, 2020 - The Federation of Protestant Women in Italy (FDEI) adheres to the Declaration of the Ecumenical Council of Churches (CEC)){kind=link}