Women Development
Objectives
- To enhance the participation of women in the life and mission of the church and society.
- To build the capacities of women on analysis and advocacy for prophetic witness.
- To strengthen the governance and leadership roles of women.
Activities (to achieve the Objectives)
- Conduct a regional conference on understanding the hopes and fears of women, looking at the following issues: conflict and violence, and gender relations in ministries in the church.
- Promote leadership in fostering the spiritual and ecumenical life of the church through the Pacific Day of Prayer and World Day of Prayer, ecumenical events organized by women.
- Conduct educational and awareness workshops on governance and leadership roles of women in the church and societies they belong.
Programme Assessment
Performance
Activities conducted thus far have been done with the aim of promoting spirituality and addressing the gender issue in the governance and mission of the church and society.
The program also coordinates the annual Pacific Day of Prayer held on the first Friday in May.
A new animator for the program was appointed in November 2009.
Relevance
The participation of women in promoting ecumenical spirituality, the mission of the church and governance will continue to be a focal point of the program.
Gender and participation will be key issues that will be addressed in the coming program years.
Outcomes
It is clear from biblical reference that the mission of the church includes women.
Gender power relations is a reality in the church but the goal is not to balance it, but rather to ensure that it serves the common interests of the church.
Equality in the biblical sense is about equal dignity and not number balancing.
Thus, a study on “gender equality” from a biblical and theological perspective is needed to ground the work on this issue among the churches.
Future activities also need to address the gender issue in the governance and mission of the church.
Work Done Up to Date
- Mission Conference in Viwa: Fiji, April 2010
- Annual Pacific Day of Prayer: Fiji, May 2010
- Ecumenical Learning and Formation workshop: Suva, Fiji 26-30 July
- Human Rights Workshop: Vanuatu, August 2010
- International Day of Prayer for Peace in partnership with SPATS/WEAVERS and the Davuilevu Theological College: 21 September 2010
- Regional Survey on the role of Women in the ministry, mission and calling of the Pacific church today: October-December 2010
Planned Activities
- 16-days of Activism to End Violence Against Women: Regional focus from 25 Nov–10 Dec 2010
- Regional Conference on the Solidarity of the Church with Women’s Concerns and Hope: Tonga, May 2011
- 3 In-country workshops on Empowering Ministry: Latter part of 2010 and early 2011
- Women business skills training: Chuuk (FSM), April 2010