MALAWI: CCJP Advocates for Meaningful Participation and Inclusion of Catholic Women in Church and Societal Leadership

The advocacy arm of the Catholic Church in the country, Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), has embarked on a journey of advocating for Catholic Women’s participation and inclusion in Church and societal leadership processes to address existing gender disparities and achieve gender equality in the country.

The endeavor is under the ECM – CCJP Misereor funded gender project which is being implemented in three Catholic dioceses, namely, Dedza, Mangochi and Mzuzu. CCJP noted with concern the male dominance in decision making structures of the Church and society in general, hence the project aims to empower women and enhance their participation in decision making processes.

In view of this, CCJP has conducted a monitoring and evaluation training workshop in Salima where the implementing dioceses were trained in result based reporting and documentation in the project. During the training, CCJP also deliberated on best implementation approaches which should be used by the dioceses if the project is to achieve intended results.

Some of the approaches include capacity building of priests, nuns, catechists, women groups and men groups in lobbying for their support, formation of women and men groups who will champion Catholic women participation in the church and society as well as activating the gender voice of the Church through the gender policy and women empowerment in the church to mention a few.

Through this project, CCJP envision a church and societies where there is gender mainstreaming, Catholic women participates in local development, there is increased representation of issues affecting women from the grassroots and improved knowledge, management and information sharing on factors affecting Catholic women’s participation in church and society processes among others.

The two years’ project targets Catholic women and their groups in the Church, as well as other significant players like bishops, Catholic Men’s Organization, the laity, executive organs of the church structures and Area Development Committees.

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By: ECM’s Stella Zulu Kaferapanjira