Aussie girls contribute to the global social justice movement
With the International Day of the Girl being held tomorrow (11 October), Salvos Online Global Focus editor SIMONE WORTHING introduces two young Australian Salvationists who are members of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Girls group.
International Zoom meetings at all hours of the night across multiple time zones are just “part of the fun” of being a member of The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Girls (ISJG) group, according to young Aussie Salvationists Cherise Holley and Grace Murray.
The ISJG group is led by The Salvation Army's International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) in New York, with the support of International Headquarters in London.
Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World President of Women’s Ministries, is a passionate supporter of the group.
The ISJG exists to bring young Salvationist girls and women together from all over the world to discuss social issues; encourage, support and empower each other to take action and participate in local and international projects; and receive training and education on the issues, annual events and language used by the United Nations and ISJC.
Cherise has been part of ISJG for more than one year, and Grace, who attends North Brisbane Corps and is an administration assistant at the Queensland Divisional Headquarters in Brisbane, has recently become a member and attended her first meeting.
“I feel like I’ve found my community of people,” says Cherise, who grew up in The Salvation Army and has been passionately interested in social justice issues since high school.
Cherise is studying a double degree in Law/Politics, Philosophy and Economics and works as the Church Life Administrator with Macarthur Salvos in Sydney.
She attended the first week of the annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the UN in March and is part of different sub-committees the group generates to work on a range of events and topics.
“For me, it’s an incredible experience,” Cherise says. “In Australia, life can feel disconnected from the rest of the world and being part of The Salvation Army here is quite different to other countries. There is a lack of young people, especially young adults here – a cohort growing in other places – so it’s great to connect with young Salvationist women from all over the globe.
“We are focused on encouraging and empowering each other in the work we do as individuals, as well as on common projects. The energy that exudes from these meetings is second to none – we are all on fire for Jesus and the mission of The Salvation Army in seeking Kingdom-focused social justice.”
During her week at the CSW in New York, Cherise worked on several projects. She attended the parallel events organised by Ecumenical Women at the UN. These combined Christian churches ran ‘Girls on Fire’ – a panel of mostly young women from around the world focused on the theme of poverty and how that interacts with gender inequality. Cherise was a speaker on the panel and preached at one of the Ecumenical Women’s devotions in the UN chapel.
Global resourcing
Cherise is also part of several resourcing projects the ISJG organises. “For example, we resource the entire Salvation Army for International Day of the Girl, with content and videos they can use,” Cherise explains. “It’s part of our group’s ethos, to educate and celebrate,” Cherise explains. “On behalf of the international Army, I am also involved in working on the 16 Days of Activism project, which calls for action against gender-based violence.”
This campaign follows the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, which is day one of the campaign.
Passion for social justice
The youngest of the advocates making up ISJG is 16 and goes up to around 25. There are currently 30 girl advocates 13 advisors.
“We are young enough to remember what it’s like being a girl in this era,” Cherise shares. “There is such a good mix of people, including uni students, girls who’ve finished studying or who have not chosen that pathway, working girls and those involved in advocacy in their country and territory. It’s a diverse group from all walks of life.
“We meet monthly via Zoom and more often if you’re part of a project sub-committee. The hours across the time zones are crazy, but it’s so totally worth it.
“I love being part of the ISJG. It’s all that The Salvation Army stands for and it’s just remarkable to share my passion for social justice within the Army. It’s cool to communicate what we do and why we do it. This work is the DNA of the Army and such a great experience. I feel like I’m doing what I was created to do.”
International Day of the Girl is one of the major campaigns the ISJG group works on each year. Resources produced by the advocates will be shared on Salvos Online tomorrow.
This UN day is observed by the United Nations and is also a major observance and celebration for the ISJC and The Salvation Army globally.
The International Day of the Girl rose out of the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995 and is about recognising the rights of girls and the unique challenges they face around the world, along with promoting their empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.
