WCC trainings empower religious women to use United Nations advocacy tools for women’s rights and gender justice. Their voice is strengthened by networking among Christian women’s organizations and those participating at the annual sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
A gender advisory group involving representatives from member churches has been set up to develop a gender justice policy for the WCC and to provide gender expertise to the general secretary.
Ongoing work on transformative masculinities continues, especially through collaboration with the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy programme.
Women’s pilgrim team visits have helped us better understand issues affecting women in situations of conflict and to discern better ways in which to accompany them and advocate for their rights and human dignity.
The programme works with member churches, regional ecumenical organizations and affiliated networks to provide support, advocacy and training (as requested). Its theological and Bible study methodologies provides space for conversations and decisive action on eliminating sexual and gender-based violence. The WCC encourages the inclusion of gender justice in the curriculum of theological colleges and seminaries.
It is hoped that a global database of prepared material to combat violence will soon be available as a resource for churches, faith-based organizations and civil society.