Lutherans participate in U.N. Commission on the Status of Women

​CHICAGO — Delegates from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) will participate in the 65th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65), meeting online March 15-26 under the theme "Women in Public Life: Equal Participation in Decision-Making."

Uniting more than 70 members from 33 countries, the delegation will bring a Lutheran vision and voice to the commission, condemning gender-based violence and injustice and affirming the importance of women — especially women in leadership — within the church and society.

Events led by the Lutheran groups' organization will include "Women of Power: Leading Together for a Better Future," "How to Challenge and Change a Social Norm: Sexual and Gender-based Violence, Masculinities, and Leadership," and the intergenerational "'Girls on Fire!' Link Up to End Gender-based Violence."

Religion has and can still be misused to create or reinforce gender violence and suppression. Lutheran faith involvement and presence at CSW65 convey Lutheran support and commitment to ending gender-based violence and discrimination around the world, especially within decision-making bodies. Through baptism, we are called to inclusion, to fight the subordination of women that ignores their human dignity. Lutherans involved in the CSW will work toward women's full participation and representation in decision-making processes through meeting with international government officials, collaborating on gender justice and faithful advocacy, and making joint statements on experience and learning.

For more information contact: Christine Mangale, program director at the Lutheran Office for World Community, Christine.Mangale@elca.org.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with nearly 3.3 million members in more than 8,900 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.