VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 1/7/11)—AB Women’s Ministries has begun producing a podcast resource, “In Their Shoes: Women Walking with Women Worldwide,” which explores facets of oppression affecting women and girls in the U.S. and worldwide. Issues to be addressed may include maternal health, girls’ education, poverty and economic opportunity, the impact of war, and more. Through interviews, conversation, and reflections, the series will inform listeners about issues and inspire involvement in the alleviation of oppression worldwide. The bi-weekly episodes are hosted by Rev. Sandra DeMott Hasenauer, associate executive director of AB Women’s Ministries.

This week, episode #5 features an interview with Blooming Night Zan, a Karen activist and Christian leader from Burma who works with refugees in the camps on the Thai-Burma border. In her interview, she appeals to listeners to share widely the plight of Burma’s internally displaced persons, primarily minority ethnic peoples that live in constant danger of abuses imposed by the oppressive military regime.

“In Their Shoes is all about women standing in solidarity with women worldwide. If one woman or girl suffers at the hands of oppression, we all suffer,” said Virginia Holmstrom, executive director of AB Women’s Ministries. “We can learn from one another’s stories and intercede for God’s mercy, as we push governments and cultural systems for needed change.”

In Their Shoes episodes are available at www.intheirshoespodcast.org, or listeners may subscribe through iTunes.

American Baptist Women’s Ministries provides vision, resources and training for women and girls in American Baptist churches. The organization launched a new initiative in 2011, “Break the Chains and Stop the Pain,” to address the oppression of women and girls worldwide.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.