LEAD//FOLLOW online equipping webinar for leaders – Pastoral Care: how to navigate and manage loss

Join with two pastoral care leaders from the Caribbean-Americas & Pacific Fellowships to explore what effective pastoral care is and why it is important and Biblical. The webinar will discuss how we can provide pastoral care to children and young people who have experienced loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together you will learn how we can ensure that GB continues to be a hope-filled and safe environment for young people to navigate this challenging time.

Saturday 31 October 2020, 0700-0830 & 1300-1430 (GMT, UK time)

Please check the time in your own country here.

You can book online here.

Booking will close on Wednesday 28 October at 1200 (GMT).

Cheryl Clen from Australia (0700-0830)

Cheryl delights in exploring creative ways to go deeper into understanding the precious gift of a personal relationship with God. With a pastoral and educational background, she will be sharing with us from her experience and knowledge, practical ways to provide pastoral care, especially in times of people experiencing loss. As chaplain of her local company for over 15 years and currently the National Chaplain for GB Australia, Cheryl has been a part of GB since her own early days as a cadet and journeyed with many to see God’s transforming process in action.

Sharing her home with her much loved 15 year old, mischievous, Labradoodle dog, Cheryl is based in Sydney Australia.

Rev Carlene Walford from Jamaica (1300-1430)

Carlene is an ordained minister in the United Church in Jamaica and Cayman Islands.  She pursued her theological training at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI).  She graduated with a Diploma in Ministerial Studies and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology (Hons).  Rev. Walford is actively involved at the Synodical Level in the Church as she represented the church in several initiatives such as The Caribbean Workers Overseas Programme (CWOP) – Canada , A New Face Programme (ANF) – New Zealand, The Ecumenical Relations Committee and others.

Her passion in ministry is Pastoral Care and Evangelism and this is so simply because of her love for people.  She believes part of her responsibility as a Pastor is to help persons live that abundant life Jesus came for all to have.  Rev. Walford is married with two daughters.

What is the LEAD//FOLLOW webinar series?

LEAD//FOLLOW is a series of 10 monthly online equipping webinars for GB leaders and officers which will run from September 2020 to June 2021. Each webinar will be led by expert facilitators inside and outside the GB family and are free for GB leaders. The 90 min webinar will be held by Zoom and accessible to GB leaders to join live online.

Here’s some excellent feedback from our previous webinars:

Please note that spaces on each webinar is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served space. Please only book if you’re able to attend.

If you’re a registered GB leader/officer, you can book online for this webinar here.

On the day, please ensure that you’re logged into the Zoom call ready for the meeting to begin about 5-10 minutes before. Zoom is a really easy piece of software to use. Here is how you can download the software to your computer in advance. It’s best to use it with a laptop with a webcam. We’d love to ‘see’ you!

Please contact home@gbworldwide.org if you have any problems.

Look out for more details about future online equipping webinars for leaders.

LEAD//FOLLOW online equipping webinars for leaders

GB International is pleased to launch LEAD//FOLLOW; a series of 10 monthly online equipping webinars for GB leaders and officers which will run from September 2020 to June 2021.

Each webinar will be led by expert facilitators inside and outside the GB family and are free for GB leaders. The 90 min webinar will be held by Zoom and accessible to GB leaders to join live online.

Details about the first webinar has just been released and booking is now open here.

Rhythms of Grace: Soul care & leadership

Are you tired? Worn out? Nearly burned out? Then let’s take time to explore the rhythms of unforced grace that Jesus spoke about and the important place of rest & recreation in our lives. This webinar will explore some practical tools to enable you to prioritise intimacy with God in your leadership and life.

Saturday 5 September

0600 – 0730 (GMT) – suitable for Asia and Pacific Fellowship leaders

1200 – 1330 (GMT) – suitable for Africa, Caribbean-Americas and Europe Fellowship leaders

The facilitator is Dr Claire Rush who has been a Vice-President of The Girls’ Brigade International (GBI) since 2014. Passionate about leadership development, Claire has led leadership equipping workshops & events in over 18 countries. Committed to mentoring female leaders, Claire co-curates Renovo, a new annual retreat style gathering, for female European mission leaders. Claire has also been part of the teaching faculty of the International Leadership Institute’s History Makers since 2012. She works for Girls’ Brigade Ministries and is a volunteer leader in a GB company in Northern Ireland where she lives by the sea. She has recently completed running 100km in a month for charity – she could barely run 30s secs a year ago!

International President Mrs Priscilla Penny shares: ‘We’re delighted to be offering a series of high quality training and equipping sessions to our GB leaders around the world. In 2019, The International President’s Committee made leadership development and discipleship a pillar in its strategic plan 2019-2022 following feedback from ICGB 2018. We pray that these events empower our leaders in core skills and support them in their God-given calling to invest in girls and young women.’

The equipping webinars are not meant to replace any national training programmes but encourage a culture of continuous learning in GB. The webinars will acknowledge the difficult and challenging context that COVID-19 has created as well as explore the new mission opportunities available too.

Please note that spaces on each webinar is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served space. Please only book if you are able to attend.

If you’re a registered GB leader, you can book online for this webinar here.

On the day, please ensure that you’re logged into the Zoom call ready for the meeting to begin about 5-10 minutes before. Zoom is a really easy piece of software to use. Here is how you can download the software to your computer in advance. It’s best to use it with a laptop with a webcam. We’d love to ‘see’ you!

Please contact home@gbworldwide.org if you have any problems.

Look out for more details about future online equipping webinars for leaders.

Mrs Olive Miller OBE, JP: Celebrating the life of a good and faithful servant of God

We are sad to announce that Mrs Olive Miller, a GB International Vice-Patron, has passed away at the age of 98 on 19 May 2020. We thank God for Olive’s life, her vision and leadership and how God has used her to transform many lives.

Miss Olive (as she was affectionately known by many) was a pioneer and throughout her life she continued to promote Girls’ Brigade and Christian values, making a significant contribution to both the life of Girls’ Brigade and the Cayman Islands.

She was loved by many in the Cayman Islands and beyond. As the Lord welcomed his good and faithful servant home, many GB leaders gathered to pray outside Olive’s house.

Founder of GB Cayman Islands

Originally from Essex, Olive travelled to the Caribbean as a missionary youth worker for the Church of Scotland in 1946 and quickly established the Girls’ Guildry in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Olive was integral to the foundation of GB in the Cayman Islands and the growth of its mission.

Mrs Iva Good was one of the first girls to join the George Town Company at the age of 11. Later through Olive’s support, Iva would follow in Olive’s footsteps and become an International Vice-President and eventually International President.

Olive was an incredible mentor who ensured that she used her leadership skills to invest in the next generation of leaders. Through her efforts, Olive has raised several generations of godly women who are still in the ministry and serving the Lord; an incredible legacy.

Global influencer

Olive’s influence extended to the international sphere. Originally a part of the Council for Jamaica, the Cayman Islands sent delegates to the first Brigade International Council in London in 1968 as part of the Jamaican delegation. 

In 1973 in New Zealand, the Cayman Islands were accepted as full members of the Brigade International Council (BIC) and were able to have their own delegation participate in the proceedings. Passionate about empowering younger leaders, Olive insisted that the delegation included younger leaders so they could be equipped to take national roles and gain knowledge about GB around the world.

Five years later, under the leadership of Olive, the Cayman Islands Girls’ Brigade hosted the International Council in Grand Cayman which 30 countries attended.

Olive served two terms as International Vice President of Girls’ Brigade, from 1968 – 1973 and then from 1978 – 1983. She was also appointed an International Vice Patron in 1983.

A life lived well for God

Throughout her life she remained committed to the work of GB continuing to participate in the life of GB in the Cayman Islands. Her strong faith and leadership positively impacted the lives of thousands of girls and young women and wider with the Cayman community.

Former International President Mrs Iva Good who was mentored by Olive shares: ‘Miss Olive was always there for me as my mentor and support. As I travelled across the world for Girls’ Brigade, the one question that I was always asked was: How is Miss Miller? She was much loved and respected.’

Olive continued to contribute and participate in GB Cayman Islands activities until her passing. As Patron, Olive never missed a GB function. The Cayman Islands GB National Council shared:

‘Olive attended and contributed to all of our Council meetings; she gave us direction and guidance and her voice of wisdom and knowledge will be sorely missed.  Her strength of character, her commitment to and faithfulness to God, her charm and wit were among the many wonderful characteristics that so made Miss Olive a gem.’

Current GB International President, Priscilla Penny from Zimbabwe, states:

‘Olive was one of the spiritual mothers of The Girls’ Brigade. As a pioneer, mentor and global influencer, God used her wisdom, leadership and faith to transform the lives of girls in the Cayman Islands and beyond. Today, GB leaders around the world walk in Olive footsteps and tread the paths that she pioneered as a Christian leader who lived her life well for God’s glory.’

Mrs Miller’s funeral and celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, 6 June at 3pm EST and will be broadcast online due to the current coronavirus restrictions in place in the Cayman Islands – https://www.youtube.com/user/CIGovtInfoServices

GB Connected resource (Part 2) launched

GB International has launched its second GB Connected resource designed to help parents and leaders across the world support children and young people during this difficult time.

There are many great organisations and faith movements around the world who have produced free resources for leaders and parents. The aim of this resource to signpost you to some of them. We’ve grouped them under the following headings:

• Growing faith – fantastic ideas for growing faith in the home
• Understanding COVID-19 – providing some factual info
• Practical support for parents and leaders – some fresh programme ideas and opportunities for support
• Pastoral support for parents and leaders – looking after your soul
• Pastoral support for children and young people – links to specialist organisations
• Managing grief and loss – practical resources to help children and young people
• Prayer resources – get involved in a global prayer movement
• Fun, silly activities – keeping members smiling!

The International President’s Committee hopes that this resource will help leaders maintain positive relationships with GB members. Our challenge is to be physically distant (to stop the spread of the virus) but to remain socially connected to our members who need our help and support during this difficult time.

Don’t forget to download our free GB Connected resource – Part I. It is full of great tips for leaders to help support children and young people during this difficult time.

Thank you for all that you’re doing to seek, serve and follow Christ.

Soul care in the middle of a crisis

Launching GB International’s new soul care series, Dr Claire Rush (IVP Europe) shares how she has been looking after her soul amidst COVID-19…

Anxious, scared, overwhelmed, exhausted and uncertain.

This is how I felt the week leading up to the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing that the United Kingdom would go into ‘lockdown’ and its citizens would only be able to leave their homes for four essential reasons.

Does it feel familiar?

For many of us across the world, life as we know it has ended abruptly. Loved ones have died; families are separated; freedom is curbed; plans have been shattered; church community has been scattered and our GB family is unable to meet.

We are experiencing grief… even those of us who have been blessed not to have been impacted by the death of a loved one.

Grief is the natural reaction to any kind of loss. And right in this moment, it seems that most of us have lost something.

Jobs. Security. Routine. Dreams. Life as we knew it.

In case you need to hear this: It’s OK to not be OK right now.

Let this sink in.

Feel like your dazed and confused? Me too. It’s normal to be operating at only 30% capacity. As trauma specialists have shared, we need to understand that parts of our brains have actually shut down in order for us to survive. We need to lower our self-imposed expectations and be kind to ourselves.

We’re in the middle of a global grief and trauma cycle; experiencing chaos and uncertain about how and when it will stop.

And I’m going to let you in on a well-known secret: the members of the International President’s Committee are not super-humans. We are just like you. We experience the same fears as you do. We’re struggling too.

So with the aim of being authentic and vulnerable (which is difficult for a recovering perfectionist) let me confess this: I know that there are emails that are unanswered in my inbox and projects left unfinished.

And that’s ok. I won’t apologise for it because I am choosing to practice self-compassion by prioritising looking after my mind, body and soul and looking after my family.

Looking after ourselves

Your mental, physical and spiritual health are important.

How are you caring for yourself right now? For certain personality types and as a result of some cultural traditions, self care during a global pandemic may feel very selfish. But in fact as Alli Workington writes in Breaking Busy, ‘Self-care is one of the most other-centred choices you can make in your life. That’s because you can’t live the life that God created you for, with space to be aware of his leading, if you don’t take care of yourself.’

But because our lives have changed irrevocably as a result of this virus, many of our self-care strategies have also been obliterated.

Before Covid-19 hit us, when I was feeling anxious or stressed, I went to the gym, I met friends and family and I escaped to the cinema. None of these options are available to me at this moment in time.

The week before the UK lockdown began, the fear of losing these coping mechanisms was debilitating and overwhelming. But what has been amazing and encouraging is that God has wired us to adapt to a new normal.

This week, Priscilla, Betty, Quindell, Poh Imm, Renelle, Aruk, Jessie and myself (all members of the GB International team) will share some of the ways that we’ve been taking care of ourselves and connecting with God during this unprecedented time.

Each day, one of us will be sharing one of our soul care strategies during lockdown on the GB Worldwide facebook page. We hope and pray that it will encourage you to look after your own mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

This will help us build good foundations so that when we’re shaken, we can still stand firm.

The Lord is my strength and my shield

And let me share a taster. For me, the pandemic has provided an opportunity to strengthen my relationship with God and find new and creative ways to connect with him.

Yes, I was upset that my fitness classes where I had a chance to meet people and move my body (great for burning the stress hormone cortisol) was cancelled. But I found new and better ones online.

For example the amazing Psalms and Stretches, a creative new way of connecting body, soul and spirit which uses a meditative form of gentle exercise using breathing, stretching and strengthening. This really is a space where wellbeing meets worship. And even more incredible, it is facilitated by Ruth who was a former member of Girls’ Brigade. Isn’t it incredible to see GB members using their God-given gifts in life-giving ways?

Every Thursday evening, I move my body and reflect on this amazing Biblical truth from Psalm 28.7:

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

This has been real soul care. A living and moving reminder that God is my unshakeable foundation in the middle of this crisis and an encouragement to live joyfully amidst the difficulties.

God IS my strength.

And nothing, not even COVID-19, can remove my HOPE in Him.

Check out the GB Worldwide facebook page daily this week to hear how other members of the GB International team are taking care of their mental, physical and spiritual health.

GB Connected resource (Part I) launched

Due to the current global pandemic, the majority of GB groups across the world can no longer meet face to face. The GB Connected resource has been created to help you stay connected with your GB members during this difficult time.

Our challenge is to be physically distant (to stop the spread of the virus) but to remain socially connected to our members who need our help and support during this difficult time. The International President’s Committee hopes that this resource will help leaders maintain positive relationships with GB members.

It has been amazing to see the creativity and innovation amongst our leaders and members as we move GB online and into the home. We’ve gathered some fantastic ideas here; some may not be applicable to your GB context but we hope that you will discover some helpful ideas.

Please remember to ensure that you comply with any government regulations on social distance.

Due to the current global pandemic, the majority of GB groups across the world can no longer meet face to face. The GB Connected resource has been created to help you stay connected with your GB members during this difficult time.

Look out for more future resources to help support you.

God bless – Keep safe and well.

International President’s Committee

GBI’s Delegation of Hope photo diary – Highlights from CSW63

From 9 to 17 March, members from the International President’s Team attended the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York City. During this week, the ‘Delegation of Hope’ attended different workshops and events, participated in negotiations on gender policy and networked with other NGOs passionate about turning up the volume of hope for girls. You can read more about the event here.

The team were very active on the GB Worldwide facebook page during the week – here’s some of the photo highlights below.

Sunday 10 March – Attending Keeping the Faith in CSW advocacy training workshop

Sunday was a 14 hr day for the Delegation of Hope (and CSW hasn’t already officially even begin yet!) After attending the Consultation Day, the team got a lift uptown to the Keeping Faith in CSW advocacy training workshop at St James Church near Central Park. This was facilitated by Side by Side; a faith movement for gender justice. 40 faith-based activists attended from all over the world and it was so encouraging that many already knew about GB’s fantastic ministry in their own countries. We hope that this is an encouragement to all our incredible and dedicated leaders; keep on honouring God through serving the girls and communities around you. You are making a difference.

Monday 11 March – GBI has a front row seat at the opening session of CSW63

Claire, IVP for Europe, was really privileged to get a front row seat at the opening session of the Commission on the Status of Women at UN General Assembly in NYC. This is often called the ‘Parliament of Humankind.’ More than 9,000 representatives from civil society organizations and NGOs have registered to attend, along with 193 Member States. The annual meeting of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) is a force to be reckoned with. GBI’s Delegation of Hope is here to advocate that Christian faith makes a positive difference in the lives of girls and women.

Monday 11 March – International President attended a CSW ministerial roundtable

GB’s International President Priscilla attended a CSW ministerial roundtable discussion with senior government representatives from over 20 nations. She shared: “What a privilege it is to represent GB (and you) at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). It has been an amazing experience so far and a number of important points have been made. Girls’ Brigade equips girls to be leaders; but let’s remember we’re not training girls for the future but for today. My favourite quote of the day is ’empowering girls and women is allowing them to fly and catching them when they fall.’ I love that GB around the world creates space to do this.”

Tuesday 12 March – Q&A event with UN Secretary General

Quindell (IVP Caribbean-Americas) and Claire (IVP Europe) were invited to a CSW63 town hall event (Q&A) with the UN Secretary General António Guterres, an incredible and credible advocate for gender parity. ‘I am a proud feminist! We all need to be feminists to make sure gender equality is achieved. This Commission could be called the Commission on Power. Gender equality is fundamentally a question of power. We will push back against the push back until gender parity is achieved.’ As the UNSG was a little bit late, the women in the room started singing in their own language. There was an incredible moment when all of the room was singing ‘We will overcome, we will overcome’ just he entered the room. CSW women singing truth to power!

Tuesday 12 March – Tour of UN building

It was really useful to have a tour of the UN building and discover more about the history of this organisation. As you can see, we’re ready and willing for GB to assume a seat on the Security Council… we’re just waiting for an invitation!

Wednesday 13 March – Networking dinner

The GBI Delegation of Hope has been preparing for CSW for months by setting up meetings. One of our aims is to connect with leaders from other Christian NGOs and the best way to have intentional conversations is over food (of course!). Our first networking dinner was with Amanda Jackson from World Evangelical Alliance, Helene Fisher from Open Doors, Emma Dipper from All Nation’s College and Kristen from A21. It was a great night of conversation which will hopefully lead to action! Thank God for all the Christian-faith based NGOs and organisations who are attending CSW and are advocating for the Good News that Jesus brings. The team has several important meetings planned to explore future collaborations with NGOs; pray that God would open doors of opportunities.

Thursday 14 March – Faith-based NGO sessions on religious persecution

One of the most moving sessions was on religious persecution of Christian women facilitated by the World Evangelical Alliance and Salvation Army. A theatre group of young women from UK performed a number of small drama pieces including an abduction of a girl in Nigeria and used self-portraits of Boko Haram survivors from Nigeria. These stories and the young women’s creativity really engaged our hearts with the issue. GBI would love to bring the stories of our own GB members into the UN arena. Open Doors also revealed that women are often subjected to a different kind of religious persecution than men. Read more about the new report here.

Friday 15 March – wearing the GB logo in the corridors of power and raising hope at the UN!

Attending CSW and gaining consultative status with the UN was an accumulation of a two year process – the Delegation of Hope did not take it for granted. Girls’ Brigade International President Mrs Priscilla Penny from Zimbabwe shares: ‘We thank God for this tremendous opportunity to turn up the volume of Gospel hope for girls in this influential global forum. Being recognised by the United Nations will amplify GB International’s platform to advocate for and with girls on gender justice issues and help empower girls to transform their communities. As one of a few UN recognised Christian organisations focussing on transforming girls’ lives, Girls’ Brigade has a huge opportunity to show how faith can make a difference in the lives of girls.’ It was incredible to represent GB at UNCSW and we hope and pray that many GB members will follow in our footsteps after!

Saturday 16 March – team time in NYC

After a busy week with early morning starts at 6am and walking over 10km per day, the team had a debrief time and enjoyed some time in the ‘Big Apple.’

The end of CSW63 – conclusions were agreed by governments!

Over the last two weeks, government delegations and civil society organisations (like Girls’ Brigade negotiated on a set of agreed conclusions prioritising social protections for women including maternity pay, safe transport, access to healthcare and pensions. The aim was to have an agreed set of conclusions by the end of CSW. Unfortunately at the beginning of CSW, we were told that the dial on women’s rights is actually regressing rather than progressing (one major country had already indicated that they no longer ‘reaffirm’ important past pieces of legislation on gender equality). The negotiations were fraught as a result of the current climate and there was no guarantee that the CSW would reach an agreed set of conclusions – this would have been devastating as we head into the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Platform – the first major global policy statement on women’s rights – in 2020. Thankfully, at the end of CSW, there were agreed conclusions reached and the CSW delivered a roadmap on ensuring women’s social protection, mobility, safety, and access to economic opportunities. Thank you God! These agreed conclusions can now be used to keep governments accountable. You can read more here.

Girls’ Brigade says #GBHopeEndures on 5th anniversary of Chibok abductions

Girls’ Brigade is inviting its members and friends to participate in social media activism to raise awareness and mobilise the wider Church to continue to pray for people who have been impacted by violence in Nigeria.

14/15 April 2019 marks the five year anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls. Currently 112 girls remain missing; some of them are GB members; many are feared dead. Since 2009, 20,000 people have been killed and over 2.6 million have been forced to leave their homes. Girls’ Brigade is continuing to mobilise the global family to continue to pray and advocate with and for the Chibok girls and the many others impacted by violence in Nigeria.

We have not forgotten. Our GB Hope Endures.

On the week leading up to 14/15 April 2019 and after, the GB family is invited to participate in social media activism by uploading a #GBHopeEndures frame to their Facebook profile and adding a special status update.

To take part in this global social media activism, please follow the steps below:

1. Sign into your Facebook page
2. Click on this link in a new browser window:
3. Choose your new Facebook frame called GB International Frame
4. Update your status with the following text:

I’ve added a frame to my profile picture on 14/15 April 2019 to say #GBHopeEndures on the five year anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls in Nigeria. Currently 112 girls remain missing and over 2.6 million people have been forced to leave their homes as a result of violence in Nigeria. That’s why Girls’ Brigade members from around the world are joining together to continue to pray for many people impacted by violence across Nigeria. Please join us as we say #GBHopeEndures. Find out more about Girls’ Brigade new resource: www.gbworldwide.org/bring-back-our-girls/

This week, GB International has released a new programme and prayer activity resource to help GB companies and churches engage with praying for their Nigerian family. The resource include a story of hope from GB member Sarah who had been abducted by Boko Haram and was later released. Sarah thanks the GB family for their prayers and reminds us that God does answer prayer.

Created by two Nigerian GB leaders Miriam and Ruth, the #GBHopeEndures: Prayers for Nigeria resource can be used at any time of year and can be downloaded free here.

Girls Living Life to the Full Challenge

On International Women’s Day 2019, the International President’s Committee (IPC) is pleased to announce GB International’s (GBI) new creative challenge for all members aged 13-25. There are two age categories according to how old participants will be on International Day of the Girl – II October 2019: 13 – 18 and 18 – 25.

Do you have a heart for advocacy (bringing God’s hope and light into the lives around you)? Do you strive for justice and want to see the brokenness in the world restored? Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference?

What is your hope for girls around the world today?

The Girls Living Life to the Full challenge is to produce a creative response to the question above by designing a photo, collage, poster or sculpture.

This is an opportunity to for GB members to inspire others with their creative and hope-filled response to injustice as well as win some incredible prizes. One of the prizes is a funded place (accommodation/flight) up to the cost of £2,000 to be part of GBI’s Delegation of Hope at the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York City in March 2020 or the International Conference of Girls’ Brigade (ICGB) in 2022. The winners will be announced on International Day of the Girl – 11 October 2019.

Please download the guidelines below and read the Terms and Conditions carefully. IPC are looking forward to receiving your hope-filled contributions!

Any questions? Please email girlsbrigadeworldwide@gmail.com

Follow GBI’s journey at the United Nations in NYC!

From 9 to 17 March, members from the International President’s Team are attending the UN’s Commission on the Status of Women in New York City. During this week, the ‘Delegation of Hope’ will be attending different workshops and events, participating in negotiations on gender policy and networking with other NGOs passionate about turning up the volume of hope for girls.

What is the Commission on the Status of Women?

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global policymaking body dedicated to gender equality and advancement of women with over 4000 activists and government officials attending. The Commission meets annually for a period of 10 working days each March in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide. You can read more here.

Attending CSW enables GB International to contribute its unique faith-based Gospel hope perspective, influence global policies affecting girls and women and network with high-level individuals and organisations leading to collaborative partnerships.

Who is part of the GBI’s Delegation of Hope?

Representing GB International at the United Nations is International President, Mrs Priscilla P. Penny (Zimbabwe). She is accompanied by International Treasurer, Mrs Betty McComb (England & Wales) and two International Vice- Presidents – Ms Quindell Ferguson (Caribbean-Americas) and Dr Claire Rush (Europe). The team has been preparing for this exciting opportunity for several months including participating in several seminars and online calls.

What are the goals of the team?

In 2019, the team has three key strategic goals:

1. Inspire – The Delegation of Hope will inspire others about GB’s 126 years of ministry amongst girls across 50 countries as well as the positive impact of Christian faith-based movements for girls.

2. Connect – The Delegation of Hope will connect with other people and organisations to build foundations for relationships and increase the potential for collaboration.

3. Understand – The Delegation of Hope will form a better understanding of how GB and its members could use the CSW and other UN initiatives to maximise its influencing potential to turn up the volume of hope for girls.

Girls’ Brigade International President Mrs Priscilla Penny from Zimbabwe shares: ‘We thank God for this tremendous opportunity to turn up the volume of Gospel hope for girls in this influential global forum. Being recognised by the United Nations will amplify GB International’s platform to advocate for and with girls on gender justice issues and help empower girls to transform their communities. As one of a few UN recognised Christian organisations focussing on transforming girls’ lives, Girls’ Brigade has a huge opportunity to show how faith can make a difference in the lives of girls.’

How can you follow and support GBI’s Delegation of Hope journey?

The Delegation of Hope is representing you at the United Nations and would love to involve you in the journey. Here’s three simple ways which you and your GB company can get involved:

1. Pray – the team needs your prayers. Please download the prayer diary which provides more info about the schedule. Please cover the team in prayer.

2. Follow – Good wifi depending, the Delegation of Hope is planning to update the GB Worldwide facebook page with short films, photos and updates. Join the facebook page and follow along. Why don’t you engage your GB group with some of the photos and prayers?

3. Share your advocacy stories – We want to hear stories about how GB companies and national boards are challenging injustices that girls are experiencing so we can share this great work with others. Please complete the questionnaire here.