Standing Against Gender-Based Violence

Elissa Macpherson—BWP Ambassador

Baptist Women of the Pacific has appointed our immediate past President, Elissa Macpherson, as our official Ambassador for Standing Against Gender-Based Violence.

Elissa has long been a passionate and courageous advocate for women and girls. Throughout her presidency, she used her considerable gifts, experience and influence to highlight the urgent need for Baptist churches to stand together against gender-based violence—an issue affecting far too many women and girls across the Pacific.

In this role, Elissa will work alongside French theologian and advocate Valérie Duval-Poujol, who was appointed by BWA Women as its global advocate for standing against gender-based violence. As part of Valérie’s team, Elissa will help connect BWP’s regional efforts with this important global movement.

Elissa will also work with each of BWP’s regions, supporting and strengthening their work to address gender-based violence within their own contexts. Through collaboration, advocacy and shared learning, she will encourage Baptist women and churches across the Pacific to help create communities in which abuse is challenged, survivors are supported, and every woman and girl is treated with dignity and respect.

The BWP Executive is deeply grateful to Elissa for accepting this important role. We honour her courage, faithful leadership and enduring commitment to seeing women and girls live with safety, freedom and hope.