Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) – "Freedom to Live with Dignity" is the slogan of the 2010 International Women's Day being celebrated today, Monday, March 8. In Colombia, the theme takes on special meaning as this year the nation, like other Latin American countries, remembers and commemorates their Bicentennial Anniversary of Independence. With a specific campaign, the "Life, Justice, and Peace Commission" of the National Secretariat of Social Pastoral Ministry, wants to recall the women who played a major role in winning the freedom of Colombia. Thus, several women who were figures of the independence period and the last 200 years of history of Colombia have been selected, highlighting a few of them for their a deep faith convictions, in which they found the reason and the strength to fight for freedom. For this campaign, they have also prepared a booklet that has four themes: Independence With a Woman's Face, They Continue to Live in Slavery, Opening New Spaces, and Everything and Everyone Working Towards Peace.
For this special occasion, Bishop Jaime Prieto Amaya of Cucuta has published a letter-press statement that explains the Catholic Church's appreciation of women. He recalls the most recent events that have affected public opinion in the country, the results of two major reports: the "Ninth Report on Socio-Political Violence Against Women, Youth and Children in Colombia" and "Employment Discrimination of Women," presenting the reality of the situation in Colombia.
The letter presents the Church's proposal in a concrete way: "The Church has a serious proposal for society and a plan for all her sons and daughters, for her faithful. The proposal, the plan of the Church, does not lead to divisive antagonism between males and females. The two must work together in building the present and the future for society. This proposal is based on values which are indispensable for the Church and for society, e.g. the family and motherhood, which do not prevent their active participation in other areas of social life and furthermore, are crucial for its overall development." (CE) (Agenzia Fides 08/03/2010)
