Wednesday 18 March

By Rachel M. F. Hutcheson and Naomi Dornan - National Youth Assembly

As we count our blessings no one could argue we have ever been so fortunate and well off. In many cultures woman have had great struggles and in some countries still do. We know we are blessed for we are encouraged to vote. It is hard for us to comprehend that so many woman do not enjoy the freedoms that we take for granted in the west. In this day and age for a woman to be able to vote is taken as a basic right.

In the wider world, with or without faith, we are tasked to treat others as we would like to be treated. In Mark chapter 12 we are told to love The Lord with all your heart and to love your neighbour as yourself. In Jesus' eyes we are equal for we are all God's children. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus mentioned women twenty-four times both instructively and positively. Jesus honoured woman throughout his life and he preformed miracles readily to both woman and men. When Jesus rose from the dead he choose to appear first to a woman, Mary Magdalene and he gave her the role of being the very first to inform others of his resurrection.

2015 marks eight-seven years since all woman in Britain were granted the right to vote. Let us count our blessings and give thanks for those suffragettes who fought for that right. We pray that every woman across the world may one day be granted the right to vote.

• Rowing for equality
• Of the Same Flesh: exploring a theology of gender

Christian Aid

Daily Reflection

Saudi Arabia and Vatican City are the only two states in the world where women are denied the right to vote.

Thank God for all those who have fought for years in order to achieve universal suffrage.