Violence against women in the place they should be safe – their homes

There is a terrible mismatch between 'domestic' and 'abuse': in the place we should feel safest, there is terrible abuse for too many women

Sport’s double standards

It’s the Olympics and in a year of confinement, millions of us are finding special enjoyment in watching the grace, strength and endurance of competitors. Clothing should help sportspeople perform to their best. There are rules that cover things like high tech running shoes so that the playing field is fairly level. But some sports … Continue reading Sport’s double standards →

Some days I feel like knitting

Today is International Women’s Day – a day to celebrate the amazing (often unsung) women of the world. But in a pretty German town, the local Christian bookshop was vandalised last night – windows were broken and “Down with the Patriarchy” was daubed on the door, in the name of feminism. It is the sixth … Continue reading Some days I feel like knitting →

Strengths in lockdown

My lockdown strengths (in no particular order) I can be an introvert without feeling second-class. Sitting in virtual meetings without the need for small talk over coffee is quite releasing. There is zero correlation between being a talker and having good ideas! (but tell that to an extrovert) The new zoom etiquette of being muted, … Continue reading Strengths in lockdown →

Bringing hope

What real messages of hope can we give at this time of global crisis, while recognising the pressures and fears facing women in particular?

If women ruled the world

Men have wrecked the world - wouldn't it be better if women ruled, wouldn't we all be better off? Well, if women follow the same competitive rules as leaders now, the answer is No. We don’t just need to change the gender of leaders, to have more women CEOs or scientists, MPs or bishops, we … Continue reading If women ruled the world →

Rise in Strength

Sixty women leaders from 18 nations gathered in Amsterdam in June to celebrate the gifting, service and leadership of women in the Church across the globe. They mourned the injustices women suffer and called on Christians to take steps to honour women’s leadership in family, church and community.

Legacy of quiet service

My mum, Lenore Claire, coming up to her 92nd birthday, had a mini stroke 10 weeks ago that set in motion a spiral (ever downwards) of changes in her life – from overworked but determined provider and homemaker for my 94 year old dad, to a ‘client’ in a nursing home. Mum has cared full-time … Continue reading Legacy of quiet service →

An Open Wound

Another week of revelations about abuse and cover-up in the Church. Pope Francis visits Ireland last week and the topic on everyone’s lips was unfortunately sexual abuse. Everyone who admired Willow Creek Church in Chicago, which has influenced thinking about effective church growth for a generation of evangelicals, has been stunned by allegations of sexual harassment … Continue reading An Open Wound →

Prostitution is not a career choice

You would think that all women would be united in seeing prostitution as exploitation – it is wrong for women to sell their bodies to strangers for sex.