“In the church, too, we must avoid any implications in our teachings or behavior that men and boys are in any way superior to women and girls or entitled to dominate them. We know that the Bible was written in cultures where women were not equal. But Genesis is clear that, in our creation, [all genders] equally reflect God’s image and so are worthy of equal dignity and respect (Gen. 1:27). The same equality is true in salvation, for ‘there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ’ (Gal. 3:28).” (Archbishop Thabo Cecil Makgoba, “To the Laos — To the People of God” (2013)
Reflection and Action
The Beijing Platform states that representation of women in leadership is critical for development. Episcopal Relief & Development’s programs invest in institutional change that supports transformative leadership positions for women to help change harmful attitudes about women’s role in society. This is highlighted in the Mazi yi Moyo (Water is Life) program in Angola, a partnership with the Anglican Church of Angola.
This is highlighted in the Diocese of Aru's women's empowerment program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a partnership between Episcopal Relief & Development and the Anglican Church of Congo. Through vocational training centers, women like Brigite gain skills in cutting, sewing, and entrepreneurship. But the program accomplishes another goal: transforming attitudes about women's leadership. Brigite's husband, Orionzo, initially had doubts about her participation but came to recognize the program's importance after witnessing the positive changes in his wife's confidence and capabilities. Today, both speak out as advocates for equality in their community, demonstrating how investing in women's leadership creates ripple effects that shift harmful social norms about women's roles in society.