Launch of Spring for Life Campaign’s 25th edition emphasizes women’s leadership in defence of the Common Home

Spring has sprung, with the blossoming of the sunflowers of hope and transformation in the year’s new cycle.  Inspired by the new season, on Thursday 25^th, CESE launched the 25th edition of its Spring for Life Campaign, with the theme: “Women of Faith: Guardians of the Common Home”. The activity brought together representatives from churches, ecumenical bodies, social movements and grassroots organizations, with a night full of music and joy, sharing reflections that inspire us to carry on in the fight for a fairer world.

Socio-environmental issues are once again the focus of this year’s campaign, particularly in light of the worsening climate crisis and its impacts on the most vulnerable communities. In this scenario of profound injustice, women have emerged as protagonists of resistance in their territories and in the defence of the environment.  A campaign publication was also launched at the meeting, containing stories from the Bible and life, biblical reflections and the experiences of women and organizations in defence of the Common Home.

Despite the capitalist, racist and patriarchal system that oppresses the most impoverished, women are the first to raise the flag for a possible new world.  As Sônia Mota, CESE’s Executive Director, explained: “Women are the most impacted, when climate issues affect their families, their territories and their peoples.  And we have seen that they are also the Guardians of the Common Home, through the preservation of the springs, through seeds, carrying water on their heads…. and that is how we view resistance.”

Feminist theologian Odja Barros, Pastor for the Alliance of Baptists of Brazil (Aliança de Batistas do Brasil: ABB), was inspired by the guiding verse of the 2025 campaign – “the Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast that a woman took up and mixed in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened,” (Matthew 13:33) – and highlighted women’s communion with nature.

“Long before any of us, these women understood that the Earth is a great ally, the Earth is our great, ancestral guardian”.

No turning back

In order to share the experiences and reflections of women directly involved in the struggle in their territories, two valued companions participated in the event: Bárbara Ramos, quilombola, writer, teacher and member of the Coordinating Team of the National Coalition of Fisherwomen (Articulação Nacional das Pescadoras: ANP); and Mira Alves, a black woman from the city peripheries, mother, grandmother, grassroots educator and activist in the Homeless Movement of Bahia (Movimento Sem Teto da Bahia: MSTB). 

A resident of Graciosa, in the municipality of Taperoá (Bahia), Bárbara explained that it is women’s connection to nature that teaches them to defend their rights.

“Our experience at the ANP, as a fishing, quilombola territory, is that we are indeed on the frontline, we are guardians of our territory. I think this is part of our very essence, we have already learnt from Mother Earth how to defend our own,” she noted.

Mira Alves, a leader in the urban struggle, shared some of her experiences with the MSTB in Salvador (Bahia), where she lives and acts in the defence of the right to housing.  Despite the violence of the public authorities and the state apparatus, such as the Military Police, she was clear about not backing down: “Despite the fear, we don’t back down. No turning back. No fewer rights,” she declared.

Black women announce the future

Representatives of the member organizations of the Change the Game Academy’s Community of Practice were also present. In Brazil, this initiative is run by CESE with support from the Wilde Ganzen Foundation.  One of its members is Patrícia Rosa, from the journal Revista Afirmativa.  As a journalist, Patrícia highlighted the need for race to be taken into account when analysing those most impacted by climate change and those who are taking up the leadership of resistance.

“We at Revista Afirmativa understand the importance of black women’s leadership, since they are the real protagonists in our society, they carry this country on their backs, they are on the frontline of the struggle for rights,” she noted.

Rita Santa Rita, a member of the Alto das Pombas Women’s Group (Grupo de Mulheres do Alto das Pombas: GRUMAP), outlined the need to think about a new society, a new world in which women, the environment and traditional knowledge are valued.

“The Common Home means understanding that the old – capitalism, racism, sexism – have to die out for the new to emerge.  And that new is a new social order, where black women, indigenous women, all women, are respected.  And, above all, with respect for traditional cultures, for life based on a profound relationship with nature.”

Rita also noted that the Black Women’s March, which aims to take a million women onto the streets of Brasilia (Federal District) in November, is one of the central initiatives to express the construction of this new society. “The world, Brazil, will be different after the march of a million black women.  I have no doubt, because we will be the ones announcing a new future,” she declared.

Publication

In an echo of the discussions raised at the meeting and to strengthen critical awareness, a publication (in Portuguese) was also launched at the opening of the Spring for Life Campaign.  This work, which contains biblical reflections, community experiences and statements from women and organizations that tackle the impacts of the climate crisis, was developed for use in meetings, gatherings, studies and catechesis.

Alongside this material a liturgical aid (in Portuguese)  was produced for churches, and ecumenical and faith-based organizations to use in their celebrations. It contains the lines: “We hope this aid will be like yeast mixed into dough – small but full of potential to transform life into abundance.”

In 2025, the publication received support from the Giving for Change Academy. Both documents are available free of charge on CESE’s website.

Click here (in Portuguese) to access the publication “25^th Spring for Life Campaign, with the theme: Women of Faith: Guardians of the Common House”

Click here (in Portuguese) to access the Liturgical Aid

Click here to access photos of the campaign launch