6 August 2009

Women march against abuse

Apia, Samoa
Melody Tan

More than 600 Adventist women marched down the streets of central Apia as part of an anti-domestic abuse demonstration last month. The women, from all over the Trans-Pacific area, were attending the region's Women's Congress held from June 2 to 7.

Holding flags representing their countries and islands, as well as anti-domestic abuse banners, the group walked three kilometres through the main town. The women were accompanied by the leaders of the Adventist Church in Samoas-Tokelau, a 25-strong police band and seven male Samoan chiefs holding a banner declaring "Chiefs against abuse."

"It was amazing to have people stop, wave and yell their support when we walked through town," says Erna Johnson, director of Adventist Women's Ministries for the South Pacific.

The march concluded at the Parliament Building where a panel discussion on domestic abuse was conducted. The discussion was chaired by the Minister of Women, Community and Social Development of Samoa.

"It is really sad that there is as much abuse in the church as there is outside it," says Mrs Johnson, one of the four panel members. "Domestic abuse happens wherever we go, irregardless of the society we're in."

Besides the march, the women also attended workshops on practical living, Bible study, prayer, leadership and self-esteem during the congress.

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