Just Community of Women and Men

Building communities of women and men with equal opportunities and free from violence and all forms of discrimination based on gender is a priority across all the programmes and operations of the World Council of Churches.

The Just Community of Women and Men seeks to amplify the voices, experiences, and perspectives of the most affected and vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, and to ensure that their agency, rights, and dignity are upheld in the work and witness of our churches in society.

“Amid all our diversity, we have relearned in our assembly that there is a pilgrimage of justice, reconciliation, and unity to be undertaken together. “ Message of the WCC 11^th Assembly, “A Call to Act Together”

The Just Community of Women and Men works to:

• Increase the visibility and leadership of women in WCC and member churches.
• Provide theological and anthropological resources.
• Expand and strengthen networks of women and men.
• Promote and advocate for women’s rights in the United Nations and similar spaces.
• Promote non-discriminatory policies in member churches.

Building just communities of women and men became a cross-cutting approach of the World Council of Churches since the WCC 10th Assembly in 2013. The 10th Assembly recognized that divisive issues, such as gender, have a place in the WCC since it functions “as a safe space to enter into dialogue and moral discernment on matters which the churches find challenging.”  

However, the focus on gender equality is not new. Since its birth in 1948, the World Council of Churches has promoted women’s rights in close collaboration with religious and civil-society partners around the world. In 1953 the programme of Women in Church and Society began with the proclamation that the renewal of dignified life after World War II was only possible if women were an active part of every initiative of justice and peace by the churches in society.

Following the WCC’s 11^th Assembly in September 2022, the Council’s efforts are guided by a reference group. Members appointed:

Rev. Levon Alkins, Church in the Province of the West Indies
Rev. Veronica Flachier, Ecuadorian Lutheran Church
Bishop Susan Johnson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Mr Rastko Jovic, Serbian Orthodox Church 
Ms Nenase Victoria Epainos Kavafolau, Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga (Methodist Church in Tonga)
Ms Sung-Ok Lee, United Women in Faith
Ms Maria Lubat, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Mr Ruth Mathen, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
Rev. Dr Monica Jyotsna Melanchthon, Lutheran World Federation
Mr Edward Lucas Mgalula, Morovian Church in Tanzania
Ms Juliet Pimbirimano, Methodist Church in Zimbabwe
Rev. Marsha Scipio, Baptist World Alliance
Ms T.T. Soko-de Jong, Protestant Church in the Netherlands
Mr Patrick Watt, Christian Aid
 

The Just Community of Women and Men is committed to ‘leaving no one behind” by ensuring that issues of dignity and equity are included in all our conversations and programmatic efforts as faith communities. 

We do this through four methodologies:

Developing and sharing relevant biblical and theological resources towards just community for women and men, such as the Thursdays in Black Bible Studies and training materials addressing violence against women.

Establishing and supporting networks fostering women’s meaningful leadership and participation. These include the Ecumenical Network of Global Actors for Gender Justice (ENGAGJ); Thursdays in Black Ambassadors, Trailblazers, and Youth Edition; Ecumenical Women Peacemakers; Just Talks presentation and discussion series.

Coordinating church advocacy towards justice for women at UN mechanisms such as the Commission on the Status of Women, 16 days against gender-based violence, and human rights advocacy training. 

Strengthening the meaningful and equitable participation of women and men in WCC governance and programmes. This includes developing and implementing the Gender Justice Principles and applying a code of conduct for participation in WCC meetings. 

Rev. Nicole Ashwood 
Programme executive, Just Community of Women and Men
email: [email protected]