With Hearts and Hands and Voices: 5th Unity Women’s Desk Consultation: Feb '26

The Unity Women’s Desk (UWD) 5th Consultation took place last month in Arusha, Tanzania. ‘With hearts, and hands and voices’ we focused on how we can each become an advocate for the damage of violence to women and girls within our Church and societies.

The UWD is Unity wide and belongs to us all. In our Moravian Church the UWD is the only group that handles violence against women. Therefore, as we challenge gender-based violence (GBV), ecumenical partnerships are an important way of working.

To challenge the violence suffered by girls and women we must each become an advocate. Advocacy is the act of speaking on behalf of someone in support of a cause or policy. The goal is for change and to improve the conditions of others.

Fighting for an end to gender-based violence is important because men and women are equal before God. Rev Mary Kategelie (Tanzania) spoke with passion and clarity about how the Bible makes it clear that gender equality is important, basing her talk upon Genesis 1:27. She invited all of us at the Consultation to thank God we are created as women. We should all ask ‘Why am I here – what is God’s purpose in sending me here?’ One answer is for us to focus upon achieving God’s justice for equality of men and women.

From Rev Mary’s inspiring talk, we went into small groups to discuss questions about violence to women and girls in our societies and how our church addresses the problem of violence against women. Later Rev Mary gave us a powerful summary from across the groups. This included the conclusion that the harsh reality that violence against women and girls is global. The violence can take many forms: physical, sexual, economic and psychological. Many factors contribute to such violence, including war, cultural and church silence (including a fear of speaking out), being trapped in a cycle of poverty, social media and mental health issues.

How can we be advocates? There is one step we can each take every week. Rev Winelle Kirton-Roberts spoke about the World Council of Churches campaign ‘Thursdays in Black’. On the WCC website (https://www.oikoumene.org/what-we-do/thursdays-in-black) they state that ‘We all have a responsibility to speak out against violence, to ensure that women and men, boys and girls, are safe from rape and violence in homes, schools, work, streets – in all places in our societies.’

Wearing black, or a badge, is a simple step we can each take to show our commitment to challenging all forms of violence against women and girls. Show commitment, talk about it, give others the space to tell their stories and together we will be taking action.

In her concluding comments Sr Jane Carter encouraged us all to take action locally: in addition to Thursdays in Black there is the 16 days of activism (the 2026 dates are 25 November to 10 December). Sr Jane was keen that we each go home changed by our experiences at the Consultation. It was indeed a powerful and inspiring event.

Throughout the Consultation fellowship was a constant thread that wove us all together. Our devotions were led by Sisters from each region, and the daily Bible study was chosen to inform our discussions. Singing was also an element that bound us together and we sang hymns and songs in each language. Our Sunday service was at a local Moravian Church where choirs of all ages sang with joy and filled the place with vibrant sound. The youth choir was traditional African music with a rock style, played on guitars and a drum. It was at that service we gave thanks to God for bringing all Sisters together safely and the Consultation was formally opened.

Meeting Sisters from across our Unity was a joy and an opportunity to learn about their lives and how they worship. In addition to meeting new Sisters, it gave a great chance to reconnect with those we had met previously and to grow friendships. Overall, a truly wonderful and life-changing experience.

Sr Janet Cooper and Sr Mary Holmes

Fulneck