World Prayer Day 2025: Women from Uengsterode set signs for the cook islands!

World Prayer Day 2025: Women from Uengsterode set signs for the cook islands!

On March 7, 2025, this year's World Prayer Day took place under the motto "Wonderful", which is dedicated to women on the cook islands. With a nine-member group, led by Cindy Zoth, the Uengsteröder World Prayer Day Group welcomed the over 100 women present in the village community center in Uengsterode. The participants, including Pastor Armin Scheerschmidt, experienced an event that included musical elements such as a song with German translation and the use of Sea drums to create a tropical atmosphere.

The cook islands, an archipelago in the South Pacific, are over 16,000 kilometers away and include 15 islands with an area of ​​236 square kilometers and around 20,000 inhabitants. This region, named after the explorer James Cook, suffers from various threats, including deep -sea mountain construction, the increasing sea level, flooding and cyclone. According to reports, the population also struggles with social problems such as domestic and sexualized violence, which is considered one of the most pressing problems.

challenges of the cook islands

The islands are badly affected by the challenges of climate change, in particular the northern atolls that are threatened in their existence. Jan Pingel, peace and conflict advisor, looked at the life realities of women in this region and the massive environmental impact during the event, which influence their job opportunities in tourism, which is 70% of the economy.

Alarming statistics shows that more than 25% of women between 15 and 64 years of age have experienced physical violence, and a third of them have experienced violence by an intimate partner. Despite these frightening numbers, two thirds of the women concerned never seek help from the responsible authorities.

cultural aspects of the event

The liturgy of the World Prayer Day comprised cultural elements of the Maori community, which are closely interwoven with the spiritual and social aspects of women's life on the cook islands. The women greet themselves with "Kia Orana", an expression that wants a good and fulfilling life. In their prayers and songs, however, the dark sides of life, including violence against women and girls, were also addressed, if only accusing and a few.

The evening offered an extensive culinary offer, including traditional dishes such as SAPA SUI and a coconut pudding, which were prepared according to women from women from neighboring villages. This underlined the cultural connection and the role of women in the catering and community.

The cook islands have been a self -managed island state in free association with New Zealand since 1965, with British King Charles III. appears as head of state. With a population that has been shrinking by 3.5% per year in recent years, and a changing demographic landscape, in which many young people migrate abroad in search of better living conditions, the women of the cook islands face serious challenges in their everyday life and their future In summary, it can be said that the World Prayer Day 2025 was both a sign of solidarity and a lively memory of the problems with which the women of the cook islands have to struggle today. The focus was on present topics such as climate change and violence against women, while the event at the same time created space for hope and cultural connection.