—Religions for Peace European Women of Faith Network launch global initiative on Restoring Dignity - End violence against women and girls—

 (BIRMINGHAM, UK)—People of faith representing diverse faith traditions pledged to help stop violence against women as part of a global initiative that mobilizes actions by religious leaders and communities– Restoring Dignity: End Violence Against Women. 

The events took place during the meeting of the Religions for Peace European Women of Faith Network held from 31 October to 2 November 2009 at the Nishkam Centre, 6 Soho Road, Birmingham, UK. Over 70 people gathered at the symposium of women of faith, where the Restoring Dignity Initiative – End Violence Against Women was launched. Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh, Chairman of GNNSJ Birmingham and member of the European Council of Religious leaders, called on all people of faith to reclaim religion as a source for good saying;

 “By working to restore the dignity of women and girls who have been violated, people of faith will restore the respect for faith because it has been hijacked, misquoted and misrepresented to perpetuate violence against women and girls.”

Bhai Sahib Mohinder Singh urged  all people of faith to adhere to religious teachings that urge respect for all humanity; “Our faith calls us to see God in everybody, male or female. Women are specifically given a prominent role in faith and religion compels all people to respect and honor women”.

Ms. Yolande Illiano, the Co-Chair of Religions for Peace European Women of Faith Network urged women and men of faith to work together, in a spirit of cooperation, to end violence against women and girls.

Mrs. Ravinder Kaur Nijjar, the Co-Chair of Religions for Peace European Women of Faith Network stressed the need to form women of faith networks to help strengthen cooperation and common action among women of different faiths. “There are many benefits for forming women of faith networks, including providing a mechanism for extended networking and action across borders and religions and enhancing the leadership capacity of women of faith and their organizations.” Speaking of the Restoring Dignity Campaign she said: “Women must be respected, valued and held in great esteem. A society that does not value its women and eradicate violence against them, cannot achieve peace and prosperity.”

Ms. Mehrézia Labidi-Maiza, the Coordinator of the Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee stressed that it  is critically important for people of faith to recognize the commitment to end violence as a moral imperative rooted in their respective religious traditions. “My sisters in faith are already doing remarkable work on the ground to care for those who have been afflicted and to educate their communities. Now we must stand together and advocate for action among the highest levels of power to end violence against Women and girls”, Ms Labidi-Maiza said.

Ms. Jacqueline Ogega, Religions for Peace Director of the Women’s Mobilization Program who serves at the International Secretariat in New York gave an overview of Religions for Peace and its Restoring Dignity – End Violence Against Women Initiative.

” Sometimes religion has been implicated for perpetuating violence against women through inaction, silence or direct violence. The Religions for Peace Restoring Dignity Initative mobilizes religious leaders and communities for education, awareness and advocacy efforts to end violence against women now,”Ms. Ogega Said.

The Restoring Dignity Initiative draws on the commitment and resources of faith congregations, institutions, and communities of believers of diverse faith traditions—Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Shinto, Taoist, Zoroastrian, and Indigenous—to bring an end to violence against women.

The religious leaders also expressed support for the goals of the “Say NO – UNiTE to Violence Against Women Campaign” being advanced by the United Nations Secretary-General and United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

………………………………………………………………………

Subsequently, the Religions for Peace European Women of Faith Network, in partnership with the Scottish Inter Faith Council proposed the formation of the Scottish Women of faith Network and launched the Restoring Dignity Initiative in Scotland at a Women’s Conference that took place on Tuesday, 3 November 2009, at the St. Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art, 2 Castle Street, Glasgow, Scotland.

The Scottish and European women will join the Religions for Peace Global Women of Faith Network in the RESTORING DIGNITY: End Violence Against Women” initiative. [For details, please refer to the Web site or contact Mrs. Ravinder Kaur Nijjar at  rknijjar@hotmail.com,  or Ms. Yolande Iliano at yolande.iliano@skynet.be

“We, The RELIGIONS FOR PEACE EUROPEAN WOMEN OF FAITH NETWORK, commit ourselves in a spirit of friendship to work together to promote spiritual values, social justice and peace for an inclusive Europe.”

RELIGIONS FOR PEACE—the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition—advances common action among the world’s religious communities for peace. Religions for Peace works to transform violent conflict, advance human development, promote just and harmonious societies, and protect the earth.