International Women’s Day
It was International Women's Day this week to draw attention to how slavery disproportionately affects women and girls and is a huge violation of human rights. One of the many missions working to establish a world where women can know their full potential is the Nomi Network. They categorize modern slavery as bonded labour, domestic servitude, commercial sexual exploitation, and child labour. Poverty and economic marginalisation make women and girls vulnerable to exploitation. Nomi Network creates pathways to safe employment and economic stability, empowering women and girls to break cycles of slavery in their families and communities by:- Training women in life skills and technical skills. Connecting women to jobs with private sector employers and promoting fair labour standards. Creating transparent supply chains with responsible sourcing with ethically-made products. Raising public awareness of human trafficking. The organisation is named after Nomi, an 8-year-old Cambodian who was trafficked by her stepfather and suffered unthinkable abuse. Nomi Network provides a future for thousands of other women and girls like her.
Iran: Brutal chemical attacks on schoolgirls
Toxic chemical attacks across the Islamic republic are poisoning schoolgirls. Over 1,200 girls have been hospitalised so far. School authorities and government bodies deny or downplay the strange objects landing in schoolyards and loud bangs being heard. Many believe the attacks are ‘revenge’ tactics against young Iranian women leading a revolutionary movement that erupted in September. Iran's Ali Khamenei demanded punishment for the females involved in the uprising, saying the punishment for teenagers would be special because they're aware of what they are doing. Officials try to blame foreign ‘enemies’ for the attacks, but student’s families believe the real enemy is their government. Parents gathered in one school chanting ‘death to the child-killing regime.’ Meanwhile, widespread social media footage shows a concerned mother brutally attacked by plainclothes security forces for demanding answers about her poisoned daughter. Other parents demand to know why school security cameras were off when the poison gas spread.
Gulf of Oman: Great day to be a Royal Marine
The Royal Navy seized several Iranian anti-tank missiles and components for ballistic missiles in the Gulf of Oman. Britain’s HMS Lancaster gave a night-time high-speed chase, involving a Wildcat helicopter, tracking a speedboat which ignored radio calls demanding it to stop. The Royal Marines onboard searches found suspicious packages, which were screened then brought onto HMS Lancaster. The haul included Iranian versions of Russian 9M133 Kornet anti-tank guided missiles (known in Iran as Dehlavieh) and medium-range ballistic missile components. The chase started after an American drone spotted the suspect speedboat moving very quickly through international waters under the cover of darkness. Marine Si from 42 Commando at Plymouth was in the team boarding the skiff and recovering the arms haul. He said, ‘We suspected it would be a successful op. and we soon realised the importance of the interdiction as we uncovered more and more weapons - a great day to be a Royal Marine!’
Haiti: Much prayer needed
Since January, there have been no democratically elected officials in power. Gangs control Port-au-Prince, and other areas with violence, kidnappings, extortion, murders and rape. The Church has spiritual plagues, muddling Catholic practices with Vodou (a Haitian witchcraft) and animism (belief that rivers and rocks possess a spirit). For those with no religion, their ‘gods’ are survival and power. Haiti’s evangelical Church is 17% of the population. They work the clinics, hospitals and fly aid to the hungry and homeless, being Jesus’ hands and feet. We can pray for the Lord to show himself in this dark hour to the Haitian people. May God be their rescuer and their strength. Pray for wise, compassionate, and godly leaders within the Haitian government. Pray for the truth of the Gospel to release those in bondage to vodou, witchcraft and animism. Pray for the Haitian Church to embody Jesus' love for the poor and needy.
