Sunday, March 31, 2019

China has the highest female suicide rate in the world.





Caption Reggie Littlejohn (in orange) with her co-presenters and several attendees after the March 11 event.  Her co-presenters were Jing Zhang (second row, fourth from the left), President of Women’s Rights in China; Lois Herman, Coordinator of the Women’s United Nations Reporting Network, who moderated; and Ms. Margaret Owen, Founder and CEO of Widows for Peace Through Democracy, to Reggie’s right in the photo.  Credit:  Women’s Rights Without Frontiers.
Women’s Rights Without Frontiers collaborated with the Women’s United Nations Reporting Network to sponsor an event at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.  The event was standing room only, a powerful success.   Here is an excerpt of Reggie’s remarks:

“Zhen Ting’s” husband passed away with necrosis of the bone five years ago.  She still remembers his last months, in and out of the hospital. The doctor finally told Zhen Ting to take her husband home and buy him his favorite foods. They had run out of money for hospitalization, and there was nothing more that could be done to save him.

Zhen Ting’s daughter-in-law became very angry at the cost of her father-in-law’s illness.  The daughter-in-law yelled at this helpless, elderly couple. She told the neighbors, “It is better to die than live in pain and make the whole family suffer, spending all our savings so that we will become homeless people.” The daughter-in-law held out the example of an elderly woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She hanged herself on a tree in the back yard, to save her family from having to pay medical expenses.

Zhen Ting says that her son is an introverted person; he would never stand up to his wife.  She had no support, no one to turn to, when a fieldworker from Women’s Rights Without Frontiers told her about our “Save a Widow” Campaign. Zhen Ting is deeply grateful for the monthly visit and monetary support she is now receiving.  She says that even though her own son has abandoned her, kind strangers from far away are willing to help her.  She told our fieldworker, “God is showing mercy to me and sent me an angel.”

“Zhen Ting” (name changed to protect her privacy), a widow given dignity, hope and practical help through our “Save a Widow” Campaign.  Credit:  Women’s Rights Without Frontiers.
China has the highest female suicide rate in the world.  According to a State Department Report, 590 women end their lives every day in China.  China also has a skyrocketing rate of senior suicide, which has increased 500% in the past 20 years, as the One Child Policy has destroyed the family structure in China.

China’s current elderly population is 241 million, 17.3 % of the nation’s total population, and rising.  China’s elderly population is set to peak at nearly half a billion, or 35% of the total population, in 2050. 

Sadly, senior suicide is on the rise.  According to a reportin the China Daily -- a Chinese government–affiliated English language news outlet -- the suicide rate of rural Chinese elderly has increased 500% in the past two decades, from 100 to 500 per 100,000.  According to sociologist Liu Yanwu, who studied the issue for six years, “. . . I was more shocked by the lack of concern in villages where the elderly commit suicide . . . It seems that death is nothing to fear, and suicide is a normal, even a happy end.”

In the past, elders were venerated and cared for by their children and grandchildren. “Filial piety was valued in old China, but many elderly people in rural areas can no longer depend on their children as a result of the great economic and social changes over the past three decades,” continues Liu, “and the pension system fails to compensate . . . In China, farmers are vulnerable, and old farmers are the most vulnerable.”

Reggie Littlejohn, founder and president of Women’s Rights Without Frontiers, stated, “the studies show that the elderly, especially elderly widows who traditionally have depended on their children to support them in old age, are becoming destitute and so desperate that they are committing suicide.  They are the invisible victims of the demographic disaster caused by the One Child Policy and are in urgent need of help. 

Women’s Rights Without Frontiersis committed to helping Chinese women at every stage of their lives.  Our “Save a Girl” Campaignhelps baby girls to be born, instead of being selectively aborted or abandoned because they are girls.  Likewise, we help their mothers defend themselves against the pressure to abort or abandon their baby girls.   And now through our “Save a Widow” Campaign, we are extending help to elderly widows, to ease their suffering and give them dignity and new hope in the twilight season of their lives. 

These efforts are not enough to help all the baby girls or all the abandoned widows in China. We call upon the Chinese government to step up its efforts to help those most vulnerable.


Reggie and her husband, Robert in front of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women banner.  Credit:  Women’s Rights Without Frontiers
Related Links

Can China Afford Rapid Aging?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4949193/

https://springerplus.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40064-016-2778-0

Suicide Among Elderly Increases
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2014-08/04/content_18239837.htm

China’s Elderly Population to Peak at Half a Billion in 2050
https://gbtimes.com/chinas-elderly-population-to-peak-at-half-a-billion-in-2050

China’s Elderly Population Continues to Rise, With 241 Million Now Over 60
https://gbtimes.com/chinas-elderly-population-continues-to-rise

Save a Widow Campaign
https://www.womensrightswithoutfrontiers.org/index.php?nav=help-chinese-widows

Congressional-Executive Commission on China 2017 Report, “Population Control” section at p. 158
https://www.cecc.gov/publications/annual-reports/2017-annual-report

Ageing China:  Changes and Challenges
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19630110

China:  The Disturbing Trend of Elderly Suicide
http://www.silvereco.org/en/china-the-disturbing-trend-of-elderly-suicide/

Suicide Among the Elderly in Mainland China
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/26672766_Suicide_Among_the_Elderly_in_Mainland_China

How China’s Rural Elderly Are Being Left Behind and Taking Their Lives, updated
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/how-chinas-rural-elderly-are-being-left-behind-and-taking-theirlives/article29179579/

Why are so many elderly Asians killing themselves? https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/why-are-so-many-elderly-asians-killing-themselves-n32591

China’s Rural Poor Bear the Brunt of the Nation’s Aging Crisis
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-05/china-s-rural-poor-bear-the-brunt-of-the-nation-s-aging-crisis

Relying on Whom?  Poverty and Consumption Financing of China’s Elderly
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK109233/

YES, I WANT TO HELP END GENDERCIDE AND FORCED ABORTION IN CHINA!

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40 Days For Life: DAY 26: Theater employee finds healing



 


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See Unplanned TODAY! Find your theater here:

Unplanned is already making an impact.
Mark in El Paso reported that theater employees screen every movie to ensure the video and audio all work as designed. That quality control screening led to a deep conversation among the local theater staff.
"One staff member disclosed abortion trauma," Mark said. "They were very grateful to receive information and contacts for our local post-abortion support group and retreats, which they now plan to attend."
Simply starting the conversation on abortion is half the battle. And one way to start that discussion is by sporting your favorite 40 Days for Life shirt, hat or jacket.
Wherever I go, people see the logo and ask, "What's 40 Days for Life?" Every one of these discussions is an opportunity.
To help seize that opportunity, our store is running a movie special. Click here, get your gear, and wear what the stars of Unplanned wore on the big screen:
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Movie specials include:
  • T-shirts–$14 (or two for $22)
  • Long-sleeve T-shirts–$20
  • Both books (40 Days for Life and The Beginning of the End of Abortion)–$22
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If you haven't seen Unplanned yet, SEE IT TODAY. If you have...see it again!
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London, England

"Hail, rain and cold weather! Did not stop our heroic volunteers, though!" wrote Sarah in London.
Families and people of all ages are joining the vigil--some traveling hours to come pray.
One volunteer came much farther than that. Renee, who helps lead the Champaign, Illinois 40 Days for life campaign, visited England and prayed at the London vigil site.
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Boston, Massachusetts

Three generations of prayer warriors came out to pray at the Planned Parenthood location in Boston.
Cait, her mother Christin, and her grandmother Mary joined the vigil. "Christin, in the middle, has 12 children!" said Rita, who leads the Boston campaign.
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These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season, what you give them they gather in; you open your hand they are filled with good. You hide your face, they are troubled; you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.
Psalm 104:27-30
Beloved Father, remind us today that there is no truth but you. Do not let us fall prey to the evil one’s lie that we may choose death. Remind us right now that you, who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us know right now that you who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us choose life always. Keep lighting the pathway home, for us and for all who participate in this 40 Days for Life campaign.
See today's full devotional
For life,
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Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life
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Facebook Twitter YouTube Pinterest Instagram

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316

Saturday, March 30, 2019

40 Days For Life: DAY 25: Abby isn't alone



 


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See Unplanned TODAY! Find your theater here:

Last night's release of Unplanned was a major success!
A pro-abortion newspaper columnist wrote, "By the end of the film, I was completely distraught, questioning everything I had ever believed about what abortion really was."
The movie about Abby Johnson's conversion from Planned Parenthood manager to pro-life advocate captivated sold-out theaters from coast-to-coast.
And Abby isn't alone. She was the 26th of 186 who have left the abortion industry during a 40 Days for Life campaign. Abby and her ministry, And Then There Were None, have helped over 500 abortion workers!
Dr. Haywood Robinson is a former abortion doctor who met the Lord, converted, and quit performing abortions decades ago. He now serves on the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
Haywood recently visited campaigns across Southwest Florida--and met another fellow abortion worker along the way. Check out his report from the Sunshine State.
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Naples, Florida

Haywood wasn't the only abortion worker to speak at a campaign event in Naples. Myra, a former Planned Parenthood surgical assistant, also addressed rally attendees.
Upon getting a job at the abortion giant, she convinced herself that her need to provide for her family trumped any personal objections she had to abortion. That changed when she witnessed the abortion of quadruplets. Myra left her job--and brought three co-workers with her.
We will feature Myra in the summer edition of Day 41 magazine. Click here to get your free subscription:
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Port Charlotte, Florida

Haywood addressed a packed house in Port Charlotte, where Tom is leading his first 40 Days for Life campaign--at 90 years old!
The abortionist in Port Charlotte is 85 years old. Tom said if the abortion provider can end lives at 85, surely he can lead a 40 Days for Life vigil at 90!
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Sarasota, Florida

Haywood's wife Noreen is also a former abortion provider. The two of them spoke to a large crowd following a testimony from Darlene (pictured above), with Silent No More Awareness.
"Haywood put his arm around her and asked the group to pray for her," said Rich, the leader in Sarasota.
What happened next touched everybody. "Noreen came up and asked Darlene to forgive the two former abortionists for what they did," Rich said.
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Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
— Jeremiah 1:4-5
Lord God, we confess that in You we live and move and have our being. Because You are, we are. May we find grace from You to affirm the being of every human and may we labor to make this truth known to the world around us.
See today's full devotional
For life,
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Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life
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Facebook Twitter YouTube Pinterest Instagram

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316