Sounding a Battle Cry for Women and Girls

Battle Cry, a Women’s Ministries initiative, calls for creative responses to social justice, empowerment and community development tailored to local needs and cultural contexts. Lauren Westwood, Communications Specialist at The Salvation Army International Headquarters, shares how Battle Cry has inspired women around the world to engage in meaningful actions that address local needs with compassion.

In the thick of a Bangladeshi heatwave, more than 20 women gather in a small room. There are chairs, cushions, and space on a large, patterned rug, but soon every spot is taken. Colourful clothes brighten the dark, crowded room as handheld fans swirl the hot air. Friendly greetings chatter until a big blue book is opened, and the meeting begins.

It was the start of a community self-help group meeting focused on improving financial literacy and providing microfinance, supported by a nearby Salvation Army clinic. I was there as part of my role with the Women’s Ministries team at International Headquarters, having just observed a gender-based violence prevention class for local children in the same room.

As the group continued, I noticed something unusual – several men had arrived, and the group’s attendance was spilling out the door! I learned that what had started as a women-focused and women-led initiative had, over the years, grown into a locally trusted community banking system, offering savings and loans. The women here were generous with their time, knowledge and resources, and saw value in sharing what they had with the entire community.

The International Women’s Ministries vision statement outlines a desire to envision women who are transformed and empowered by the gospel to lead a Christlike life, enriched mutually through local and global connections and support, equipped to fulfil their potential through lifelong learning and development, and engaged in social justice and action to positively impact the world.

Our work derives from a belief that women play a crucial role in shaping society, especially through caregiving roles within families and communities. Any fellowship of women demonstrating Christian values and offering practical help benefits not only individuals but also families, communities and nations – just like the microfinance programme I visited in Bangladesh.

It is from this position that, in 2023, Women’s Ministries launched an initiative, Battle Cry, to re-engage women’s fellowships with local-level social justice and action. Battle Cry encourages identifying local needs and responding in ways suited to context and ability, serving with love, compassion, and righteousness.

‘When we consider ministry to women in The Salvation Army, we expect nothing less than to see women creatively responding to the needs of others with counter-cultural grace,’ said Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World President of Women’s Ministries. This creative response is seen through the various ways that the Battle Cry initiative has been interpreted depending on local need and cultural context. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to social justice, empowerment or community development, making Battle Cry a flexible and responsive ministry.

For example, we hear reports of flourishing ministry to women in the Eastern Europe Territory, comprising Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine. In Moldova women have started a knitting club, including many women who have been widowed by the ongoing war. Not only does the group offer emotional support and fellowship, but also a sense of purpose as they knit items for the community during cold weather seasons and send socks to soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

In Romania a gifting programme was established to connect women in Salvation Army corps (churches) with women living in shelters or camps due to human trafficking, gender-based violence or social ostracism. Major Roxy, a Salvation Army officer (minister) based in Bucharest, initiated this programme after noticing that vulnerable women, though receiving essential support through The Salvation Army or other NGOs, rarely received special items or gifts. The programme, now embraced by more than 500 women, has restored dignity and a sense of value for these women.

‘Each woman corps officer (church leader) embraced the idea and every corps in Romania got involved to send gifts from their women members,’ shared Major Roxy. ‘In this way, we are all connected to what God calls us to do – to love our neighbours as God loves us.’

The Salvation Army advocates for holistic care, addressing individuals’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs. However, this can only happen through partnership. In a world that is increasingly interconnected, it is not enough to assume that someone else will respond where there is injustice.

‘We want everyone to enjoy life in all its fullness as part of a flourishing community, and the barriers to that look different in the vastly different contexts we are privileged to have a presence in around the world,’ says Joanne Beale, Community Development Lead at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters. ‘Our approach to community development is based on understanding these holistic needs and then finding the most appropriate way for The Salvation Army to respond by also having a good understanding of our own local strengths and capacities. As we seek lasting change in communities, we encourage churches to form strong local partnerships to strengthen our care for people. Battle Cry is helping to strengthen and reinforce this approach through women’s ministries around the world.’

Whether action is taken through our decision making in the clothes we purchase, the media we consume, the projects we support overseas or the initiatives we champion in our own communities, it is worth remembering that we are responsible for one another. What excites me most about Battle Cry is the re-emergence of women responding to social injustice, and the idea of each person being empowered to bring what they have to the table.

For some, the call may be to connect with people in familiar spaces more intentionally and to show up with more compassion. For others, it could prompt them to build relationships with those outside of their usual networks. For a church group, it might be to step away from the church building, to journey and to pray until you feel inspired to do something beautiful for others. This is community-led, community-focused action and a vision of the Body of Christ.

Learn more about International Women’s Ministries at https://sar.my/wm or on social media @SalvationArmyWomen.

By Lauren Westwood