Thursdays in Black grew out of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women (1988-1998), in which the stories of rape as a weapon of war, gender injustice, abuse, violence, and many tragedies that grow outward from such violence became all the more visible. But what also became visible was the resilience of the women involved and their personal efforts to resist such violations.

The campaign was inspired by such movements as:

• The Mothers of the Disappeared in Buenos Aires, Argentina who on Thursdays protested at the Plaza de Mayo, against the disappearance of their children during the violent dictatorship.

• Women in Rwanda and Bosnia who were protesting against the use of rape as a weapon of war during the genocide.

• Black Sash movement in South Africa protesting against apartheid and its use of violence against black people.

The campaign is simple but profound. Wear black on Thursdays to show that you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Show your respect for women who are resilient in the face of violence.

It’s Thursday – so I’m wearing black. Are you?
Elizabeth

(Dr) Elizabeth Burroughs
Chairperson
World Day of Prayer National Committee for England, Wales & Northern Ireland