Thursdays in Black Ambassador

Some time ago I was approached by a co-worker at the World Council of Churches headquarters in Geneva. The question that was posed was: would I be interested in becoming an ambassador for the campaign

Thursdays in Black

With no hesitation I answered yes. I have supported the campaign for many years. Almost every Thursday I dress in black trousers and in a black shirt and put on the pin with the text:

Towards a world without rape and violence

How can anyone be in favour of rape? It is not possible to comprehend. Still it is happening all over the world. Every day. It is outrageous.

Here is the youtube film that the WCC has recorded. 

In 2013 I had the privilege of taking part in the General Assembly of the WCC, held in Busan in South Korea. I was especially present to moderate the men’s gatherings at the Pre-Assembly of Women and Men. The group of men that was gathered issued a statement. It started like this:

We the men in the first WCC Women’s and Men’s Pre-assembly express our immense gratitude to women who have enabled us to understand the pain and injustice of patriarchy and gender inequality.  We have experienced transformation in our lives, by the grace of the God of Life, which has begun to open our hearts and minds to a shared struggle for gender justice. Yet, we are painfully aware that we men still have a long way to go on our journey toward a true community of women and men in the churches and in society at large.

Since then I have tried to reflect on my own masculinity and the structures in society that we all are trapped in. Statistics are clear. Men are involved in more violent acts then women. This means that men also are victims many times. I cannot do much about this. But I can decide to be part of a transformation.

Being an ambassador for Thursdays in Black is one way to contribute.