The topic of violence against women and girls is universal. The Catholic Church, with its patriarchal and hierarchical structure, is no exception.​

Despite repeated appeals and numerous reports from affected women during the Synod, there was no mention in the final synod report of the widespread violence against women.

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This deliberate failure of the Synod has its origins in a culture of sexism, machismo and widespread narcissism of priests, bishops and male parishioners. The prioritisation of their own interests and power is paramount.

 

The CWC therefore believes that it is important to draw attention to the violence against women in the church and to show how this violence is perpetuated in society through gender stereotypes and a binary anthropology.

In particular, Catholic clergy play an outsized role in politics and policy-making, too often resulting in neglecting or blocking legal protections for women, including the right to sexual self-determination, reproductive freedom, and autonomy. Men's dominance and control over women and women's bodies is reinforced.

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This is why the CWC and numerous member organisations are once again taking part in the global UN campaign           16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.