“The pressing demand for equality for women does not come from outside, from a secularized modernity, but from part of the revolution of Christian origins, stifled by patriarchal society.” (Lucetta Scaraffia)
Today, March 8, we celebrate International Women’s Day. This date commemorates the struggle of women for equal rights. One of the historical events remembered is the fire in a textile factory in New York in 1911, where 146 women workers died, many of them immigrants, highlighting the dangerous working conditions of the time. This event is considered a milestone in the struggle for women’s labor and social rights, fundamental demands of feminism, and had a great influence on the declaration of International Women’s Day by the UN in 1977.
It is a day of demonstrations, reflections and acts of protest in which the aim is to make visible the injustices that affect women around the world, such as the feminization of poverty, their victimization by multiple forms of violence and abuse, wage inequality, the lack of representation of women in public spaces, especially in decision-making and leadership roles, or the overload they assume in care tasks, both at home and at work.
The Church, a sign of justice and fraternity, is no stranger to this cry. Thus, the synodal texts point out that: “The Church, as a sign of justice and fraternity, is no stranger to this cry. In the face of the social dynamics of impoverishment, violence and humiliation that they (women) face throughout the world, they call for a Church at their side, more understanding and in solidarity in the struggle against these forces of destruction and exclusion. Those who have been involved in the synodal processes want the Church and society to be a place of growth, active participation and healthy belonging for women. “.
The first disciples of Jesus of Nazareth found in him, in his proclamation of the Kingdom of God with its revolution of values, a new place full of possibilities from which to look at reality, establish relationships and acquire a new identity as daughters of God and sisters in the community of equals that changed history: “I say this because he who is in Christ is a new creation; the old has passed away, everything is new” (2 Cor 5:17).
Christian women today want to remain faithful to the Gospel in the search for justice. We take up the witness of those disciples of the first hour and celebrate the steps taken, the long road already traveled together, aware that there is still a long way to go before full recognition of equality in our Church as well.
We walk in hope because, as the final document of the Synod assures us, “what comes from the Holy Spirit cannot be stopped”.
Carmen Montejo, OAR Sister General
