Africa: Women and youth put leadership, empowerment, peace in focus

Leadership, empowerment, justice, and peace are among key concerns and priorities for women and youth in Africa. They have met for two days prior to the Africa Pre-Assembly, taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 8-12 May. 

Youth and women in Africa name priorities for Krakow 

(LWI) – The leadership of women and youth in churches, economic empowerment, education, and work for justice and peace, were among key concerns highlighted by women and youth in Africa, as they met to prepare for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Thirteenth Assembly in Krakow, Poland, in September.

Delegates from LWF member churches across all of Africa are meeting for their 8 to 12 May Pre-Assembly in the Desmond Tutu Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The pre-assembly discussions of women and youth highlighted the joys and challenges they face in diverse contexts, with a specific focus on priorities they will bring from the Africa region to the global Assembly.

Education, leadership, networking, justice 

Ahead of the opening of the Pre-Assembly on Tuesday, women delegates named four priorities: education, leadership development, communication and networking, and women's human rights.  

They are setting "clear priorities for themselves and their journey as African women in the global communion," said Rev. Dr Marcia Blasi, LWF's Program Executive for Women's Empowerment. "They are calling for stronger commitment of the churches to women's meaningful participation and leadership, in word and practice," she added. "They commit themselves to this and call on the LWF to be a part of that journey."

Education and capacity building is the first priority, focusing on theological education and continuing education for lay and ordained. The women also called for the inclusion of gender justice as a topic in the curriculum for theological education.  

If we want women to be able to take up leadership positions when they become available, we must make sure they are given the necessary training, said Rev. Lilana Kasper, Executive Director of the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa (LUCSA). Leadership training and the empowerment of women for leadership was the second priority named.  

They also highlighted the importance of strengthening the network of women in the region to creating stronger connections and a shared commitment to look for and share information. The fourth and final priority was to work for women’s human rights, with a particular focus on addressing gender-based violence and working for economic justice.  

Peace, leadership, entrepreneurship 

"Youth have gifts as diverse as the different ministries in the church. They want to be seen not only as leaders of young people, but as church leaders offering value to the whole church, regionally and globally," said Savanna Sullivan, LWF's Program Executive for Youth.  

The youth delegates named three priorities: youth leadership, entrepreneurship, and community, peace, and justice.

They called for the establishment of youth governance in the member churches, commitments to quotas in the churches and intentional leadership training that is offered to young people.

"This is about ensuring we can fully participate in the church, establishing policies and practices, ensuring inclusive leadership that includes the voices of youth," said Maro Maua from the Kenya Evangelical Lutheran Church.

The youth also highlighted how young people in many African countries face the twofold challenges of poverty and unemployment. "The young leaders are calling their churches to look to entrepreneurship as a response to poverty and unemployment," said Sullivan about the second priority.  

The third priority of community, peace, and justice included a call on the LWF to create policies for climate justice and intergenerational justice for the communion which could be shared with the member churches, similarly to the LWF gender justice policy. "These aren't issues specific to young people, but they are passionate about advancing them in the communion and its member churches," added Sullivan.

The Thirteenth Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation takes place 13-19 September 2023 in Krakow, Poland. The theme of the Assembly will be "One Body, One Spirit, One Hope." It will be hosted by the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland.

LWF/A. Danielsson