Mission Partner: Mothers’ Union

Mothers’ Union, MU, is an international Christian charity that seeks to support families worldwide. Its members are not all mothers or even all women, as there are many parents, men, widows and singles involved in its work. It supports churches with the prayers and activities of its branch members and is a campaigning charity with projects including literacy and development, parenting, micro finance and campaigning against violence against women and the trafficking of women.

No More 1 in 3 campaign, (one in three women worldwide will experience domestic abuse). MU speaks out on issues of gender equality through its representative status at the United Nations. Every November its members around the world hold services, events, marches and prayer vigils for their Global Day of Action, to call for an end to gender-based violence. As Michael Kaufman wrote: “If it were between countries, we’d call it a war. If it were a disease, we’d call it an epidemic. If it were an oil spill, we’d call it a disaster. But it is happening to women, and it’s just an everyday affair. It is sexual harassment at work and sexual abuse of the young.”

Literacy, parenting and savings programmes help learners across the world. They open a window on many topics and act as a vehicle for learning new tools for living - from business skills to better agricultural practices, raising awareness on important subjects such as gender equality and

change. Devota and her community in Tanzania have benefited greatly from being a part of their local savings group. She now owns land where she grows cabbage, onions and tomatoes. With the profits, she has built a house and is able to provide for her family and send her children to school. The savings group has transformed her community, but far more communities are in need. www.mothersunion.org