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Chung |
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2011, Nr. 48, Women's Letter in english |
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Dear Readers,
Forty years ago Swiss women were given the right to vote, to elect and to be elected. That was surprisingly late! And although much has been achieved, much still remains to be targeted. Women in the global South got the right to vote and to elect before the Swiss. That happened when the colonial powers withdrew from the southern countries. And yet, women still have not reached the point where women can execute our right to shape our communities on all levels. In short: what are needed are clear actions of solidarity with those women who are still compelled to fight for equality and for justice. Since the beginning of the women’s movement in the 19th century, women’s rights have been seen as related to human dignity and human rights; hence, the women’s movement still has its own significance and importance.
This edition of the women’s letter deals with water and women’s rights. Of course, the basic requirements, such as infrastructure, roads, water pipes etc., should be provided for by the state. However, the reality is different. In many places it is our partner churches and organisations who do this in addition to their deaconry work, as was done in Europe in the past.
Still, women are the bearers of life within families. In fulfilling daily duties, water often proves to be a one-sided load carried by women alone. For this reason the water item cannot be separated from the gender item. It is not just by chance that the generic term for justice in the Old Testament - sedekah - is feminine. This expression stands for reasonable behaviour in respect to relationship or context. In the pursuit of justice, it is necessary to consider suppression in all its different forms.
In this issue, we introduce you to stories of the lives, suffering and actions of women. The examples, from Indonesia, Peru, Costa Rica, Nigeria and D.R. Congo (through Swiss eyes) by Retni Mulyani, Ebed Grijalva Yauri, Violete Rocha, Suzan Mark and Hanni Fassler, show how women try, each at their own place in life, to change their living conditions. Everywhere they are present as actors for change. These are just a few drops of water on a hot stone; yet, each drop is precious.
„I thirst.“ This is what Jesus, who himself was symbolised several times as water and still suffered from thirst, said. This person, Jesus Christ, who quenches our thirst and who leads us to eternal life, calls us, as Christians, to be thirsty for justice and to defend the world-wide community.
I wish you much contemplative time while reading and also good inspiration for action.
28th February 2011, Basel
Rev. Dr. Meehyun Chung |
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[인쇄하기] 2017-10-30 22:40:58 |
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