10/24/2019 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – In many persecuted nations, Christian women are particularly vulnerable to harassment. Viewed as a minority for both their faith and their gender, they are seen as easy targets for abuse. As a result, Christian women around the world are swept up into forced marriages, forced conver­sions, human trafficking, and other forms of violence. Therefore, ICC created the Save Our Sisters fund to encourage such women, primarily through economic empowerment, to support themselves.

One way in which ICC lifts up women through the Save Our Sisters fund is sup­porting them following the loss of their breadwinner. Earlier this year, ICC supported a week-long training to teach widows in Nigeria the basics of business. These women lost their husbands during Fulani attacks, and are now forced to step into the role of pro­vider for their families.

During the course, the women learned the basics of money management, sup­ ply, inventory, and other essential busi­ness principles. Equally as important, the training created an opportunity for the women to join together and share their struggles with one another. In addition to the business training that will help them provide for their families financially, they now have a stronger bond with a community of women whom they can lean on.

In Myanmar, young Christians facing displacement are often forced to aban­don their education, limiting their career opportunities for the future. Sadly, young women in this situation often find them­selves vulnerable to human trafficking. Worse still, women are often introduced to the world of human trafficking by neighbors and friends looking for a quick means of financial gain.

In order to protect these women from the horrific world of sex slavery, ICC joined hands with local partners to pro­vide 19 women with a sewing course. The course gave the women the materials and skills necessary to support them­selves and their families financially in the future.

ICC has partnered with Christian com­munities all over the world to support women who are persecuted for their status as both Christians and women. However, this work would not be possible without the generous support of donors.

If you would like to donate to support persecuted women or learn more about ICC’s Save Our Sisters fund, please donate online or give us a call at 1-800-ICC-5441.