By Faith LeMasters, Diocese of Los Angeles (Province VIII)

My first week at UNCSW68 was nothing short of a roller coaster. In reflection, I’m feeling so grateful for the conversations that are being had, the work that’s being done, and the progress being made. At the same time, my heart breaks knowing that so many women and girls are suffering worldwide and real change – for both policy and actionable goals – takes time. I have learned to not become too comfortable or complacent in the work that I do. There is always more to be done. Hopefully, one day, we will no longer need to work to achieve basic equity. But for now, it affects all areas of our lives and society. The two areas of concern I learned the most about are gender equity intersecting with environmentalism and women in agriculture. I had no idea that, on a global scale, so many women worked as farmers and relied on the agricultural industry for stability and income. On the same hand, I didn’t realize that climate change impacted women at a much greater rate than men. UN figures indicate that up to 80% of people displaced by climate change are women (https://www.unicef.org/rosa/blog/climate-changes-greatest-victims-are-women-and-girls). Gaining this knowledge has inspired me to shift some of my work towards advocating for initiatives to combat climate change. By working to combat climate change directly, we are working to eradicate poverty as the two are so innately linked.

I am also grateful for the moments where I felt the Holy Spirit move. When I was feeling particularly overwhelmed, I happened to open my Bible to Proverbs 10. Verse 28 in particular stuck with me and ended up being my strength throughout the rest of the week: “The hope of righteous people leads to joy.” I know there is still much more to learn, and I know this next week will be just as inspiring, heartbreaking, and motivating as the first.

About the author: Faith LeMasters, Diocese of Los Angeles (Province VIII) is a member of St. George’s in Riverside, CA, and channels her passion for justice and equity through journalism. As a writer, journalist, and editor, she advocates for women and girls facing exploitation in the garment industry. Her work underscores the significance of human rights, weaving a narrative that speaks to the heart of social justice issues. Grounded in faith, she seeks to embody the love of Christ in every endeavor, utilizing her platform to champion justice and promote equality.