World GFS

The purpose of the World Council of GFS is to promote friendship between members of the society around the world. World Council, World Project and World Day of Prayer are among the regular events which support this objective. Participation in these forums has facilitated opportunities for special friendships between particular member countries.

In 1955, the Presidents and Executive Secretaries of GFS in eight nations met on the Isle of Wight to discuss ways of working more closely together. GFS World Council was established by charter on June 24, subject to ratification by the respective national boards of directors. At that time, World Council represented 25 nations and 66,000 members.

In the past five decades there have been nineteen World Councils hosted by various different countries. Representatives of the member countries meet to plan the work of the Society for the next three years, worship together, and celebrate the fellowship of GFS. World Council is now held every three years, hosted by the World Chairman’s country. The World Council Project, a three year mission project, is selected by the delegates and is partially funded by World Day of Prayer offerings.

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World President 2017 – 2020

Ms Thembeka Pama, GFS South Africa

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World Council – South Africa

9 – 20 July 2020

(see Members Page for further information)

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GFS World “Prayers of Hope” booklet – (against gender based violence)

The Prayer of Hope booklet is being dedicated to the girls and women who have suffer at the hands of others by any form of gender base violence. The 25th of November (International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women) marks the start of our 16 Days of Activism against
Gender-based Violence and ends on December 10th International Human Rights Day. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is a global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and girls and its impact on a woman’s or girl’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. Human rights cannot be universal without human rights for women and girls.
The Girls’ Friendly Society sisters worldwide are proud to be involved with this international campaign, joining with others globally to raise awareness of, and call for an end to, Gender based Violence and injustice against girls and women.
The Girls’ Friendly Society Worldwide will continue using their “Prayers of Hope” until they assemble in Johannesburg, South Africa at World Council in July, 2020. Please contact the office for further information.

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