The All African Conference of Churches (AACC) during the Women Pre-Assembly, one of the activities at its 12th General Assembly held in Nigeria, explored ways in which the church will continue to advocate gender equality and empower women in the African continent.
The Women Pre-Assembly aims to distil their collective insights into actionable points that will resonate with the broader Church community. It seeks to craft a message that will inspire, initiate change, and forge a path toward a more inclusive and equitable Church and society through dialogue, understanding, and unity.
Very Reverend Comfort Ruth Quartey-Papafio, Director of Gender, Family, and Social Intervention at the Methodist Church Ghana, in her keynote address titled “Theological Reflection on the Achievements of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE),” said the theme of this conference, “The Love of Christ Compels Us to Promote Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Africa,” serves as a guiding light in their collective journey toward a just and equitable world.
She said they hope to confront the barriers that have, at times, hindered the Church’s progress toward achieving Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
“We will not shy away from acknowledging our complexities and challenges. Instead, we will confront them head-on, armed with the conviction that the love of Christ empowers us to overcome even the most formidable obstacles,” she said.
She noted that women face barriers such as traditional interpretations of scripture, cultural norms and practices, systemic biases and discrimination, resistance to change, lack of opportunities for education and training, traditional gender roles, and lack of representation.
Quartey-Papafio, however, said there is a need to engage in dialogue with Church leaders, promote inclusive policies and practices, empower women delegates to formulate a compelling message for Church leaders at the General Assembly, equip themselves with a thorough understanding of the theological basis for Gender Equality in Christianity, and speak up within their congregations and denominations for advocacy within the Church.
She pointed out some proposed actionable steps for the consideration of the General Assembly, which include the promotion of equality in leadership roles, educating the congregation, partnering with organizations promoting gender equality, empowering women economically, addressing gender inequality issues openly, and addressing unconscious bias, among others.
Also, Reverend Dr Lydia Mwaniki, Director of Gender and Women for AACC and also a Priest in the Anglican Church of Kenya, Nairobi, said, “The women pre-assembly celebrates the gains we have made in the last five years and also addresses the challenges that we have faced, the issues that have continued to be oppressive to women. There are those social norms, issues of gender-based violence, and selective interpretation of scriptures.
“So, we want to bring our minds together as women to identify the challenges that still remain as blocks to women’s progress and consolidate them together in the form of a statement and present at the main general assembly.”
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