Members around the world take part in our No More 1 in 3 campaign

Saturday 26^th November 2023 was MU’s Global Day of Action, which is MU’s response to the 16 Days of Activism. Members around the world took part in our No More 1 in 3 campaign to raise awareness of the fact that 1 in 3 women will suffer from some form of violence throughout their lifetime.

Below are some of the events that members have put on:

Trinidad and Tobago: members organized drama presentations in schools about how to tackle and deal with GBV.

Diocese of North Eastern Carribean and Arbua: members held candle light services. They did presentations in schools on GBV and the Gender Minister of Antigua attended. A vigil for 16 days of Activism was held by the Gender Affairs department.

West Indies: many dioceses held different events: services, seminars and a service of remembrance for those who have died from GBV.

Australia: members held a protest on the steps of Brisbane Cathedral.

Wales: vigils in town centers, services were held in all Cathedrals, with the lights turned purple.

Machynlleth, Wales: held a vigil with members from Machynlleth & Corris MU. They had good reactions from a lot of people from cars and in conversation with them sharing awareness of our campaign. They were joined by two representatives from the Family Crisis Centre in Newtown. Afterwards they presented them with toiletries and other items for the children that MU branch members had collected. A service was held at Bangor Cathedral including prayers for the RISE UP campaign.

Buenos Aires: handed out tea bags with a label about MU.

Myanmar: held an event for the 16 Days of Activism in the Dioceses of Pathein and Pyay in person. They are using the theme of RISE UP against domestic abuse. The other dioceses held online services.

Canada: put up placards along a trial where lots of people walk. Held a march, services with members speaking during them.

Papa New Guinea: members took part in services and made small purple hearts. They are excited as this is the first time doing this.

Diocese of Auckland: at St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Kohimarama, a very talented artist created an exhibit of 9 pairs of shoes in front of our altar, representing the 9 women who are killed every year in domestic violence incidents in New Zealand. The main RISE UP prayer was used while the vicar lit a candle amongst the shoes in honour of the victims of domestic violence. The RISE UP sermon was used and it received positive feedback from the congregation.

Democratic Republic of Congo: members gathered in one of their dioceses and held up RISE UP against domestic abuse placards. 

Diocese of Exeter: Souls of Our Shoes Exhibition held in Exeter Cathedral throughout the whole 16 Days of Activism.

Diocese of Rochester: service held at Rochester Cathedral and members tied purple ribbons around the railings crying ‘RISE UP against domestic abuse’ and ‘No more 1 in 3.’

Diocese of Salisbury: worked with the Soroptimist International and had a presence in three churches, Salisbury Cathedral and 10 retail outlets.

Diocese of Winchester: held a stall at the Winchester Christmas markets and hung up purple and white origami doves members had made.

Diocese of Bath and Wells: held a Souls of Our Shoes exhibition at Wells Cathedral for the duration of the 16 Days of Activism. In the first week there were over 500 visitors.

Diocese of Leeds: RISE UP posters were put in toilets in a local maternity ward. Lots of the telephone numbers were ripped off, so they were clearly impactful and useful.

Diocese of Durham: the Silks performance was done during the intercessions of a parish church service, which the congregation found very moving.

Diocese of London: did the Red Chair initiative, Souls of Our Shoes and a silks performance.

Diocese of Worcester: had a Souls of Our Shoes exhibition in the Lady Chapel at Worcester Cathedral. They sprayed all the shoes purple.

Diocese of Chichester: held a service in a church in Eastborne. Members marched quietly and slowly up to the town hall, lots of cars tooted and passersby gave them thumbs up. The red chair and posters were in the church.

Diocese of Southwark: put RISE UP posters everywhere. Moved the red chair around the church every week which sparked conversations about domestic abuse.