The Anglican Church General Synod office says: "The Council for Ecumenism recently endorsed the WCC Ecumenical initiative “Thursdays in black”. The campaign grew out of the WCC Decade of Churches 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 women’s resilience, agency and personal efforts to resist such violations."

This is where we, as a Province, make a stand against rape and gender-based violence by wearing black on Thursdays. The campaign is simple but profound. Wear black on Thursdays to declare 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 injustice and violence. Encourage others to join you.

Information can be found on the WCC website: https://www.oikoumene.org/en/get-involved/thursdays-in-black

In their most recent October Conference the Methodist church in NZ adopted a resolution commending wearing black on Thursdays to all their members. It would be an important stand if Anglican Churches would join them to halt such horrific social behaviour.