International Women’s Day: Sunday 8 March

Today we observed International Women’s Day, which is on Sunday, 8 March. We started our day in prayer, celebrating women as leaders, mothers, sisters, wives, friends, champions, advocates and world changers.

Internationally, the colour purple symbolises women. Purple also signifies justice and dignity. Purple ribbons were available from the libraries at both campuses, so students could collect a ribbon and wear it with pride, signifying their solidarity with the women in their lives and our world, and the vital contributions women make.

Prayer

Today we recognise International Women’s Day.

• We honour women all over the world, sisters in our one human family.
• We honour their courage, as they overcome the challenges of living in extreme poverty.
• We are thankful for their care for our common home.
• We admire their dedication to the common good.
• We learn from their commitment to the progress of their whole community.
• We are enriched by their passion and generous sharing of their cultures.
• We honour their open hearts and feel so privileged to hear their stories.
• We pray for women who spread joy and nurture hope throughout struggles.
• We support their determination as they strive to attain new skills and expertise.
• We honour the extraordinary roles they have in their communities.
• We stand with women as they open new horizons for the next generation.
• We celebrate women as mothers, sisters, wives, friends, leaders, champions, advocates and world changers.

Started by the Suffragettes in the early 1900s, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1911. International Women’s Day belongs to all communities and all people everywhere. Whether through a global conference, community gathering, classroom lesson or conversation with our friends – we can all play a purposeful part in pressing for gender parity.

Gracious God, we pray for all women around the world.

Strengthen us to stand in solidarity with our sisters experiencing poverty and injustice.

Open our hearts to listen and serve.

Give us courage to hope and work for a better future for all women.

Awaken us, that we may fully realise our interconnectedness to our one global human family.

Guide us with your spirit, to welcome, champion, practically and joyfully love each other.

Amen.