Diocesan News
Second Mothers’ Union All–Ireland Prayer Vigil to End Violence Against Women
The Diocesan President of Mothers’ Union, Mary Good, has invited people in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe to support next weekend’s All–Ireland Prayer Vigil in Londonderry against gender–based violence. The vigil, at St Columb’s Cathedral, is part of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign.
Mothers’ Union is one of more than 130 groups throughout Ireland supporting the 16 Days of Activism Campaign. Mrs Good says Saturday afternoon’s event is an opportunity for the whole community – not just women and girls – to show their opposition to gender–based violence and to do something about it. Mrs Good says the vigil is an awareness–raising initiative aimed at ending violence against women locally, nationally and internationally.
“Globally, one in every three women will experience some form of gender violence in their lifetime,” she says. “In Ireland, statistics show that one in five women is affected by domestic violence. In the 20 years since Women’s Aid began recording violence against women in Ireland, 211 women have been murdered. More than half of them were killed by their husband or ex–husband, a partner or an ex–partner.”
Mrs Good says the weekend vigil will be an opportunity for local people – men and women – to join in prayerful solidarity with Mothers’ Union members around the world in seeking to end gender–based violence. “We want to spread the critically important message that violence against women and children is never okay. We need to take action on this issue and we need to change attitudes.”
Mothers’ Union Dioceses will be holding vigils at a variety of locations through Ireland on Saturday 26th November. The Derry and Raphoe vigil will take place at St Columb’s Cathedral in Londonderry from 2–4pm. For more information, please see: www.derry.mothersunion.ie, www.mothersunion.org or www.mothersunion.ie.
Mothers’ Union operates in 83 countries and has 4 million members worldwide. It works to support stable family life and to end violence against women and girls, through prayer, practical support, advocacy and campaigning.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
Mr Paul McFadden
028 7126 2440
07525 826290
[email protected]