Issue Area: Human Rights and Peacebuilding
In our outline of faith, known as the catechism in the Book of Common Prayer, the question is posed: “What does it mean to be created in the image of God?” The answer encompasses what we fundamentally understand as the rights of all human beings: “It means that we are free to make choices: to love, to create, to reason, and to live in harmony with creation and with God.”
As a church, we advocate for human rights worldwide, the ability to exercise those rights in peaceful settings, and the protection of those who defend human rights. The Episcopal Church supports legislation that protects human rights and prevents atrocities; promotes gender justice; and works toward peaceful reconciliation in conflicts around the world.
Learn more below about our areas of focus and how you can take action to support human rights and peacebuilding.
What we’re working on
Peacebuilding and conflict resolution
In response to resolutions from The Episcopal Church’s General Convention, the Office of Government Relations—with our Anglican Communion partners—advocates for peacebuilding and conflict resolution, including specific engagement on the following countries and regions, all of which are home to Anglican or Episcopal dioceses: Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iran, Israel/Palestine, Sudan, and Yemen.
Resources
Gender justice
The Episcopal Church supports programs that promote gender equality and empowerment of all people around the world, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We condemn all forms of violence and discrimination against women and children. On an international level, we participate in the annual session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, a global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality.
Resources
Human trafficking
The Episcopal Church supports legislation that combats human trafficking and advocates for policies oriented to the recovery and reintegration of trafficking survivors into society. We urge the U.S. government to work toward solutions to end modern slavery in all its forms and to partner with nongovernmental organizations, religious groups, and other governments to end this violation of human dignity.
As a member province of the global Anglican Communion, The Episcopal Church collaborates with international Anglican partners to confront the challenges around global migration that play a significant role in human trafficking.
Anglican Communion partnership
The Episcopal Church is the U.S.-based member church of the Anglican Communion, the third largest Christian community globally. In addition to international church leaders from The Episcopal Church, we invite Anglican leaders to visit us and connect with members of Congress and other leaders in Washington, D.C. The Episcopal Church also engages with the Anglican Communion through the Lambeth Conference, primates’ meetings, and the Anglican Consultative Council.
Partner resources
Find additional resources below from Episcopal and Anglican partners, as well as other organizations involved in advocacy for human rights and peacebuilding.
- UN Women on ending violence against women
- World Health Organization on gender, equity, and human rights
- UN Women: 16 days of activism against gender-based violence
- Devotions inspired by the annual 16 days of activism against gender-based violence
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
- Protecting All Children from Trafficking
- The Polaris Project
- Gender Justice – Anglican Alliance
- Episcopal Relief and Development on gender equality
- Episcopal Relief and Development: Our work in Haiti
- Haiti Advocacy Working Group
Contact the Office of Government Relations
Join weekly public policy network calls
1 p.m. ET on Thursdays.
