SW News: Expressing concern over the rising number of cases related to sexual violence against Christian women, pontifical aid organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has urged the UK government and the UN to take necessary action. The outfit sent a petition detailing the vulnerable situation of Christian women in Asia and Africa, where they are kidnapped, raped and forced to convert to Islam.

ACN National Director Neville Kyrke-Smith, said that the organization has received many reports regarding violence against Christian women. Many of them are forced to embrace Islam. Neville said that women from Christian and other faith communities have become victims of forced conversions in countries like Pakistan, Egypt and Nigeria. Neville alleged that these countries exploit Christian women because of their vulnerable status while authorities turn a blind eye to these acts.

On November 25, ACN will be organizing '#RedWednesday,' a day after the UN commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. There have been allegations that the UN has been ignoring such cases.

Neville has urged people to support the petition, and he added, "We believe that the international community fails to understand how religious belief acts as a motivator for egregious sexual abuse against women of the 'wrong' faith. We have launched this petition to call on the UK government and the UN to do much more to stamp this out. All of us must hear the cries of these suffering women."

In the British Parliament, Baroness Caroline Anne Cox will chair the ACN's Hear Her Cries report in the House of Lords. She said, "I ask that everyone who has a heart for women and girls who suffer in this way to sign this petition. The UK government and the UN need to take more effective steps to stop this problem. "This should include robust legislation that is actually enforced to the letter of the law, security improvements, and cultural changes that make it easier for women and girls to be protected from these abuses."

Another British Member of Parliament Sir Edward Leigh highlighted the case of 14-year-old Pakistani Christian Maira Shahbaz, who was raped, forced to convert to Islam and marry, thereby depicting the dangers faced by women of religious minorities.