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Dr Agnes Abuom at the Ecumenical centre in Geneva

Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee.

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Reflecting on "Women of Faith: Protagonists of Human Dignity, Peace and Healers of Creation,” Abuom explored how faith institutions and communities play critical roles in a wide variety of crises.

Women are at the forefront of the crises as primary caregivers, providing essential services following spiritual and faith-inspired values of love, solidarity and compassion," reflected Abuom.

“Equally important, women of faith are challenging their limited leadership roles at policy and decision making platforms from patriarchal and misogynistic interpretations of sacred texts, cultural beliefs and practices and documenting their findings.”

Through intergenerational storytelling, women are nurturing healing of intergenerational trauma and creation, Abuom noted. "In the 1990s, in solidarity with women in Argentina, Israel and Palestine, Rwanda, Bosnia and South Africa women leaders in World Council of Churches popularized and amplified Thursdays in Black, a resistance and resilience campaign against rape and violence,” said Abuom.

This type of leadership, which amplifies womens agency, and women of faith as protagonists of human dignity, peace, security and healers of creation pushes for new frontiers of advocacy and global leadership of young women and men together to bring lasting change that will help safeguard posterity.”

WCC acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca also shared a message with the conference.

Women of Faith: Protagonists of Human Dignity, Peace and Healers of Creation - message of Dr Agnes Abuom, moderator of the WCC central committee for the Conference of the World Council of Religious Leaders on Faith and Diplomacy

WCC acting general secretary reflects on faith and diplomacy at Religions for Peace conference (WCC press release, 4 October 2021)