Restored - Ending Violence Against Women

Over 2000 years ago Jesus modelled a life of respect for women. He treated them as equals, gave responsibilities to them and was even financially supported by women.

Throughout the New Testament we see women like Phoebe, Junia, Mary and Priscilla sharing responsibility for the growth of the Church. All of this was totally radical in a culture where women were defined by the men in their lives; their fathers, husbands or sons.

So have we moved forward from that place? Is their respect for all women in all walks of life? Are women equal to men in our modern society?

could appear the answer is yes, women are able to vote, own property and stay in employment when they are married.

In reality however, the answer is no, women are not respected. So often their opinions and input into conversations are undermined and ignored purely because they are female. They are the subject of thousands of jokes and put downs. One quarter of women in the UK will experience physical abuse at the hands of a partner and many more will be abused emotionally, psychologically and sexually.

We believe it is the responsibility of all men to challenge this, by respecting women. Showing that women are valuable through our actions and words. Men and women are equal in God’s eyes, and we must see change. 

The Oxford English Dictionary defines respect as “due regard for the feelings and rights of others” and this is what we are asking of those who sign up to First Man Standing. Have due regard for the feelings and rights of all women. Here are some ways you can do that:  

1. If you are married or have a partner, treat her as an equal, share responsibility for housework and childcare, don’t value your work more highly than hers and as Paul says, love her “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
2. If you have children, challenge stereotypes and language they may pick up that undermines and puts down girls and bring them up, whether they are boys or girls, to know that it is who you are, not what gender you are that matters. Most importantly, fully respect and value their mother.
3. Help and encourage all the women in your family to achieve and value themselves. Recognise the difficulties they may face, purely because they are female and support them emotionally and practically in moving forward.
4. In your workplace take time to hear and engage with the ideas of women, consider whether, in the past, you have disregarded their input because they are female and make a conscious decision to change that.
5. In your church, consider the implications of the teachings often given that put women down and insist they are less important and less valuable than men. Tell the women in your church that they are valuable and develop ways with other men to support women in the church, maybe through doing childcare for women’s events or encouraging specific women you know who are struggling to feel valuable.

As men stand up and through their actions and words show that they fully respect all women, we will change lives and transform culture. 

As Jesus said “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you….”  (Matthew 7:12)