Jo Swinson signs Open Doors’ handmade petition

Jo Swinson, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has signed Open Doors' handmade petition to show she sees women who are persecuted both for their faith and their gender.

l-r: Alan Donald, pastor of Woodhill Evangelical Church; Jo Swinson; Mark

Jo Swinson, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, went to a curry night organised by Open Doors supporters in Glasgow on 29 August. While she was there, she signed our handmade petition. She joins other MPs from across the political spectrum who have signed.

We’re delighted that Jo Swinson was so engaged with the presentation, showing her commitment to freedom of religion and belief. She also wanted to sign the petition to show that she sees Christian women across the world who are persecuted for both their faith and their gender. Women like Esther in Nigeria, who was abducted by Boko Haram.

Each square of the petition says “I see you” to our courageous sisters worldwide – drawn, sewn, painted or written on a square of fabric. We’d love you to add your name, if you haven’t already. More than 10,000 people have already signed the petition.

Swinson was also interested in our advocacy team’s ‘We’re Indians Too’ report, which examines the persecution of Indian Christians. Our supporters were pleased to hear her useful ideas about how the report’s recommendations could be implemented through political and diplomatic processes. You can download a summary the report.

The handmade petition will be presented to the UK Government in November 2019 during the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) conference. We want policy on sexual violence in conflict to recognise that, in order to address this problem, the persecution of faith needs to be recognised too. For in many countries, they are inextricably connected.

Dear God, thank you for Jo Swinson’s interest in Open Doors. We pray that she may be able to use her political influence on behalf of the persecuted church. Please protect our sisters in Christ across the world, and bring about lasting change in their lives. Amen.