Human Rights Reflection
Join us in prayer and reflection
Bring light & hope into the darkness of human trafficking
Join ACRATH’s zoom gathering at 1pm on 10 December 2021 – Human Rights Day
An international prayer and reflection zoom gathering will be held by ACRATH on December 10 to end the 16 Days campaign against gender based violence. The day has deep significance; The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, was the result of the experience of the Second World War. It is a milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights of all human beings. Article 4 of the UDHR commits the world to freedom from ‘slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms’.
The United Nations 16 days of activism against gender-based violence begins on 25th November – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ends on 10th December – Human Rights Day.
Human trafficking, a $150 billion global industry, is one of the greatest examples of violence against women and girls. As well, millions of women and girls are forced to marry and to work in terrible conditions for little, or no pay and no chance of an education.
The one-hour prayer and reflection zoom gathering will be held at 1pm (Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra time) on Friday 10th December 2021. To participate, please join the Zoom Meeting using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85832477712?pwd=OEVidXZ1eHEzMGxnUlZkVXM5WjJaUT09
One of the prayer and reflection gathering organisers Bernard Dobson said that we are reminded in Genesis 1:27 that ‘God created humankind in God’s own image’ and that this is a foundational passage guiding all of us to treat others with equal dignity and respect. We are also reminded by Isaiah (49:15) that God will never forget us. God’s tender love and support extends to all.
“Jesus reveals to us that our God is a God of hope. Whenever Jesus encountered a person suffering and apart from the community, he restored their dignity and drew them into the light,” Bernard said. “During the prayer and reflection gathering people will be asked to reflect on various aspects of human trafficking and ways we can support those who are trafficked. We are reminded by St Teresa of Avila that Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
Another organiser Mary Cameron said: Violence against women is never acceptable, never excusable, never tolerable. Whenever we assist another, especially someone whose dignity has been downtrodden, we are a source of hope and light to them. No matter how small our action may be, we become co-workers in proclaiming the reign of justice.
Bernard and Mary said they want people to end the 16 Days Campaign on December 10 with a sense of hope that “we can go and do something to bring light where there is darkness and despair”.
Contact: For more information about the prayer and reflection zoom gathering please contact: office@acrath.org.au
