Christian Women are the Main Targets of Persecution.

A recent global survey reveals that the rise of radical Islamic extremism is the primary reason for the persecution of Christians around the world – and many of the victims are women.

Emily Fuentes, communications director for Open Doors, told CNA: “Unfortunately, more and more women are the target of terrorist groups. There are numerous international incidents of women being kidnapped, raped, and forced to convert from Christianity to Islam by radical extremist groups like Boko Haram. Many are also sold on the open market. This brutality is not only occurring in the Middle East but in Africa and in many other places.”

“In many of these countries, women are subject to persecution because they are considered second-class citizens because of their gender,” Fuentes added. “As minorities in both gender and faith, Christian women face double the persecution. Although we don’t have an exact number, we know that millions of women are being persecuted.”

Fuentes also stated that the persecution of women goes beyond physical abuse.

“In these Muslim-dominated countries, Christian women are systematically deprived of their freedom to live and are denied basic human necessities,” she explained. “They do not have access to proper health care, nutrition or education.”

“Surviving is all about strategically going about their day and taking extra precautions like travelling with a male relative. In some cases, it is easy for them to make small inconvenient plans. But most times, there is no solution, which puts women at grave risk daily.”

According to the Pew Research Centre, Christian women are the largest religious group in the world, making up almost 34 percent of the global population. In many countries, these women pray more frequently and attend weekly church services more often than men. They also consider religion more important.

• Pray for protection for Christian women around the world, especially in those regions where Islamic extremism makes life particularly difficult and dangerous for women.
• Pray for Christians organisations who minister to women, for compassion and  understanding of the issues facing women in these regions.
• Pray for an end to the Islamic extremism that deprives so many women of their lives and undermines their worth. Pray that many women will come to see their worth as daughters of the King of Kings, and find freedom, hope and life in Him.
• Pray that that the Holy Spirit will also move in the hearts of men across the Muslim world, that many will hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and come to put their faith in Him.

Isaiah 58 vs 6: “‘Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?”

Source: http://www.angelusnews.com/news, http://www.persecution.org/2016