Uplifting Women and Girls

The Girl Child, Children’s Sabbath, and Status of Women encourage the church to give women and girls a chance to thrive.

by Tara Barnes

This first of our deeper dives into the legislation United Women in Faith has submitted to the next General Conference focuses on “The Girl Child,” “Children’s Sabbath,” and “Status of Women.”

If these titles sound familiar it’s because they were once in The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, meaning they were official statements of the denomination. All three were submitted for readoption to the 2016 General Conference, but the legislative committee to which they were assigned never voted on them.

These petitions did not fail at General Conference—they were deemed unimportant. This is unacceptable. We hope the delegates in 2024 do prioritize women and children.

Currently, all United Women in Faith legislation is assigned to the Independent Commissions legislative committee. You can find it in the 2020 Advance Daily Christian Advocate on pages 905-911.

The Girl Child

This resolution names the unique challenges and dangers girls face around the world, including female genital mutilation, child marriage, frequent pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, exploitation, the burden of constant housework, and inequitable opportunities for education.

Saying that the girl child is as beloved and wholly valued as the boy child should not be a controversial statement. Girls should not face harm because of their gender.

Grounded in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs,” and on the Social Principles statement on the rights of children, this petition names the millions of girls around the world denied equitable education, exploited for labor, forced to marry adult men, subjected to permanent genital injury,and infected at a higher rate of HIV/AIDS.

It calls on local churches, conferences, general agencies, church-related organizations, parents, and individuals to help ensure access to education, clean water, safe environments, nutritious foods, and health care.

Children’s Sabbath

Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from God, says Psalm 127:3. This short petition asks that the third weekend of October be identified as the Children’s Sabbath on the program calendar of The United Methodist Church (and not to be classified as a churchwide special Sunday).

Endorsed by the General Board of Global Ministries, United Women in Faith, and the General Board of Church and Society, the Children’s Sabbath is a program of the Children’s Defense Fund, who each year provides resources for worship, educational programs, and outreach activities.

The observance highlights issues facing children worldwide, explores sacred texts, and inspires participants to nurture and advocate for children and youth.

By participating, United Methodists join a large movement for children to amplify the voice of faith communities calling for justice.

Status of Women

The Bible teaches us that both men and women are created in the image of God and that women are full members of the church of Christ. Christian love, as exemplified in the New Testament, requires that we relate to all as persons of worth. To regard another as inferior or to use power over them is to break the covenant of love, so says this piece of legislation encouraging The United Methodist Church to be part of the global movement to improve the status of women.

The petition affirms the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, considered a blueprint for advancing women’s rights, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, strategies that move equality beyond just access and Equality must go beyond access to include development that delivers fundamental economic and social human rights.

Sections of the text focus on economics, power and decision-making, violence against women, education, health care, women and the environment, women and media, and women and armed conflict.

Calls to action include education, policy advocacy, engaging men and boys, supporting community organizations, and pushing the church to support women’s leadership.

Supporting women and girls

Inequitable treatment of women has been tolerated for far too long. Passing “The Girl Child,” “Children’s Sabbath,” and “Status of Women” is one strong step The United Methodist Church can make to get more women into decision-making spaces and so watch the world change.

Tara Barnes is director of denominational relations for United Women in Faith.

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