Women hold up half the sky

Tearfund is hoping that many hundreds of churches will celebrate the role of women in some of the poorest Third World countries, and also give and pray for women facing an uphill struggle to overcome poverty. 'It is sobering to realise that women make up half the world's population and earn just 10% of the world's income', said Dr. Elaine Storkey, Tearfund's President.

This year's Tearfund Sunday is titled after a Chinese proverb: 'Women hold up half the sky, but it's the heavier half'. The Tearfund resource pack for the day, which can also be used on any other occasion such as Mothering Sunday, includes a video focussing on women in Ethiopia and a 16-page activity guide with prayers, a drama sketch and background materials to help the whole church family focus their praying and giving to help needy women.

Clean water

Among the women in the village of Wanjal featured on the video is Alemitu Abebe. She is one of many to have benefited from a borehole and handpump installed with the help of Tearfund. She said: 'We can now get clean water. It is much closer to home, so I spend less time walking. Our health has improved, so I am very happy.'

Ababach Markos, a mother of five from the same village, who works from 6.00 am to midnight to care for her family, said: 'It's hard work, but I have no alternative. Life here is very difficult. I pray that my children will have a better life than me: a good education, new clothes and better food.'

The Tearfund materials show how, thanks to the generous giving of Christians in the UK, Tearfund partners like the Kale Heywet (Word of Life) Church in Ethiopia are making a significant difference to women and their families.

'Ethical tourism'

According to a survey published in January by Tearfund, a majority of British holidaymakers would be willing to pay more for their holidays abroad, if the extra money ensured good wages and working conditions for staff in resorts and hotels, and preservation of the environment in communities being visited.

Tour companies and travel agents tempt holidaymakers with glossy brochures, but the survey of more than 2,000 people shows that British travellers do not respond simply to the best bargains on offer. If given a choice, they are increasingly willing to take ethical considerations into account when booking holidays.

Nearly half those questioned said they would be more likely to travel with a company that had a written ethical code. More than half said they would pay an average of an extra 5% (or £25 on a £500 holiday) to guarantee ethical standards like fair wages and reversal of damage to the environment caused by tourism.

'These findings indicate that in the wake of the rising popularity of ethical investments and fairly-traded goods, there is significant public support for a move towards ethical tourism', says Andy Atkins, public policy advisor for Tearfund.

The resource pack (£9.95) can be ordered by ringing Tearfund on 0845 355 8355.

© Evangelicals Now - March 2000
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