10/12/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BACLO Replaces Blue with Black 🔵➡️⚫: A Day of Solidarity, Education, and Sacred Commitment Against Gender-Based Violence.
10 December 2025 – On this final day of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, In a powerful and intentional act of witness, the Boland Annual Conference Lay Organization (BACLO) of the African Methodist Episcopal Church convened on Saturday, 29 November, at Mount Pisgah AMEC, Robertson, for a meeting transformed into a sacred assembly against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
True to our calling as the teaching and training arm of the church, we moved beyond mere symbolism. We began by replacing our customary blue attire with black, a visible, collective stance of mourning and solidarity with survivors and victims of GBV.
Understanding that awareness is the foundation of change, we dedicated ourselves to education. We were honoured to host Ms. Kelly Baloyi from the South African National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), who delivered a critical workshop titled "A Call to Action: The Church, the Youth, and the Fight Against GBV." This session equipped our leaders with deeper insight into the systemic roots of GBV and the unique role the church must play in fostering safe communities and just relationships.
A Message from the Lay Organization:
"This was not about joining a bandwagon. This was a deliberate, theologically grounded response. We act because we believe every person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and violence against any person is a violation of the divine. Our black attire symbolised lament. Our educational session fulfilled our teaching mandate. The men’s pledge was a prophetic call to responsibility and action. This is how the Lay Organization intends to lead: by educating hearts, transforming minds, and prompting concrete commitments." – BACLO Director of Public Relations, Jerome Zoutman.
Visual Evidence of Our Commitment:
• 📚 Speaker - Ms. Kelly Baloyi.
• ✊🏽✊🏾 "Anti-GBV Pledge." DOWNLOAD THE PLEDGE HERE: https://bit.ly/BACLO-GBV-PLEDGE
• 🎥 VIDEO: Highlight of the men taking the pledge.
This is the Lay Organization in action: teaching, leading, and committing to real change rooted in our faith. Watch the powerful moment of the pledge and see the pictures.
Boland Annual Conference Lay Organization
Director of Public Relations
Jerome Zoutman
