WILLS POINT, Texas – Gospel for Asia (GFA) has published an authoritative article about the seemingly endless global problem of violence against women.
The euphemism of “domestic violence” used in America does not begin to describe the depth of persecution that women suffer in many other countries around the world. For many women, “the greatest challenge . . . is simply to survive through a normal lifespan.”
The Gospel for Asia (GFA) Special Report, “Ending Violence Against Women, Using Education and Income Generation to Overcome Discrimination,” indicates that violence against women in South Asia is unusually high, based both on statistical information from various global agencies and actual stories of women and female children who have experienced gender-directed violence first hand.
The Special Report posits that violence against women is more prevalent in developing countries and other regions where people no longer (if ever) see others as made in the image of God. The result is that women, even newborn female children, may be regarded as property, at best, or as an utterly undesirable burden.
“Gospel for Asia (GFA) field partners have seen the horrific results of gendercide: hospital dumpsters holding the dead bodies of newborn baby girls. They’ve seen the disregard—even hatred—some have for their daughters and have shared some of those stories with us.”
Where violence is prominent, particularly in areas of South Asia, women may become victims of rape, sexual coercion, human trafficking, forced prostitution, and debt bondage in addition to other forms of physical and emotional abuse.
More than merely reporting stories and statistics, the report includes insights into Gospel for Asia-supported initiatives that are helping to give hope to suffering women and to end the patterns of violence against them.
Gospel for Asia (GFA) and its worldwide affiliates have—for more than 30 years—provided humanitarian assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially among those who have yet to hear the Good News. Last year, this included helping more than 82,000 children through Gospel for Asia’s Bridge of Hope Program, free medical services for more than 180,000 people, 6,000 wells drilled, 11,000 water filters installed. Christmas presents for more than 600,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry.
Image Source:
- By Francisco Magallon (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons