Dear Readers,
Injustice happens everywhere in this : world, in both private and public matters, though our perception and evaluation : of injustice may differ. As Christians we are called to resist. Having been : baptized into Christ¡¯s body, we are obliged to seek justice in racial and : gender conditions as well as in socio-economic problems according to the : formula of baptism as recorded in Galatians 3, 28: ¡°There is neither Jew nor : Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female, for you : are one in Christ Jesus.¡±
This is precisely what our women in : our sister churches and organizations are doing. Here we share just a few : concrete examples of women and groups of women who are committed to justice on different : continents. They have recorded their stories in varying life circumstances: in : the newly created country of South Sudan, during a women¡¯s conference for : regional leaders, they studied the various ways of experiencing injustice in : their respective situations and what they were undertaking for its abolition. A : Swiss theologian of Old Testament, Elisabeth C. Miescher, describes her : engagement in this problem both at home and abroad. From Indonesia, we have the : voice of Kamila Jusup, who is a leader of women¡¯s work in Bandung. She writes : about her work and how she deals with domestic violence. Etel Nina Caceres : reports on the legal situation of the rural population who experience : discrimination through poverty and violence mainly as a lack of esteem. And : then she introduces us to her work and her organisation.
These women share the wisdom of : discerning problems and violence in private as well as in public, of analyzing : and naming structural demons. Furthermore, they try continuously to transform : society through prayer and actions. Women¡¯s resistance is resistance in : everyday life.
Though these experiences differ in : substance, they have one thing in common: all these women stick persistently : and steadily to their goal and do not give up. Although women often do not have : the power of decision-making, their power is in the potential to bring about : life-saving changes within their range of life and work. These examples show : how they take on responsibilities within their manageable environment with the : aim of reducing injustice.
To opt for the poor is to opt for : women, for unfortunately, world-wide, women represent the majority of the poor : and uneducated. And yet they are active subjects when it comes to preserving : life and to improving the conditions of life for others. All these active women : bear witness to the transforming call to seek God¡¯s kingdom first as we journey : through life, whether women¡¯s work is : visible or not.
It is with deep : regret that we have to bid farewell to Marianne Herrera-Zweifel. We feel and : express deep gratitude for all she achieved not least for the women's letter.
I am glad to introduce two women : into this women¡¯s letter. There have been recent changes in the leadership of : mission 21. While Dr. Christine Christ is elected to president of Board, Rev. Claudia : Bandixen is called as director. I am grateful for her open-minded spirit and : willingness to support Gender and Women¡¯s issue in which she answered the : questions when interviewed. : :
I wish you fascinating reading and : good inspiration to continue courageously in your own steps.
23rd February 2012, Basel
Rev. Dr. Meehyun Chung