Today, Tuesday 25 November, marks White Ribbon Day. It is followed by a call to 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, part of a powerful call to end violence against women and girls. This cause resonates deeply with me both as a husband and father of daughters, and as a follower of Christ longing for a world where all can flourish without fear and where dignity and respect are not privileges but rights. This is something that sadly, is not yet the reality for many women in this country and across our world. Domestic abuse, coercion, and gender-based violence remain pervasive, and silence only perpetuates harm.
As a bishop, my passion for this campaign springs from the heart of the Gospel. Jesus consistently honoured women, challenged systems of oppression, and called His followers to love sacrificially. To stand against violence is thus not an optional extra – it is an expression of faith. Scripture reminds us that every person is made in the image of God; therefore, any act that diminishes or dehumanises is an affront to God Himself. White Ribbon Day gives us a practical way to live out that conviction.
Why should the Church be involved? Because we are called to be salt and light in a hurting world. Churches are often places of trust and refuge, yet too often we have failed to speak boldly on issues of abuse. Silence can be interpreted as indifference. By engaging with White Ribbon Day, we do something practical, we declare that violence has no place in our homes, communities, or congregations. We model a culture where men take responsibility – not just for their own actions but by challenging harmful attitudes and behaviours wherever they occur.
This is not about politics; it is about discipleship. It is about shaping communities that reflect the Kingdom of God, where justice and peace embrace. When we raise our voices, we offer hope to survivors and signal to perpetrators that the Church will not collude with violence. As fathers, husbands, brothers, and friends, we can lead by example – speaking out, educating ourselves, and creating safe spaces.
White Ribbon Day is more than a campaign; it is a commitment to transformation. For me, it is a way of saying to women and girls, “Your safety matters, your worth matters, and the Church will stand with you.” That is what faith in action looks like — it is indeed how we live the command to ‘Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8).
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Oh dear, Bishop Robert, you have fallen into the trap!
“…. of activism against gender-based violence, part of a powerful call to end violence against women and girls.”
Sad to say, there is also gender-based violence against boys (and men), although it is less frequent.
Andrew