On 26th September 2024, the African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP) hosted a webinar focused on gender equality and positive masculinity within faith communities. The virtual event convened 49 participants including religious leaders, women of faith networks, and youth from across Africa. It explored how faith communities can challenge harmful social norms and empower women and girls by promoting gender equality. The discussions highlighted the intersections of faith, gender, and masculinity, aiming to dismantle misconceptions about gender roles in religious contexts.
The webinar featured welcome remarks from Dr. Francis Kuria, Secretary General, ACRL-RfP, and a key address from Mary Njeri, EVAWG analyst at UN Women. Fr. Dr. Dominic F. Tomuseni, Hekima University, Prof. Mahfouz A. Adedimeji, Ahman Pategi University Kwara, Rev. Dr. Lydia Mwaniki and Vusi Cebekhulu, Sonke Gender Justice dissected various topics in a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Rozilla Adhiambo, ACRL-RfP. The theologians clarified misconceptions about the roles of men and women, especially within Islam and Christianity. It was clarified that both faiths, like many other religions, advocate for the equality of men and women. They debunked myths such as polygamy and emphasized the equality of both genders as created by God. It was argued that cultural norms often misrepresent religious teachings, reinforcing negative stereotypes and practices.
A post-webinar survey was disseminated to gauge participants’ involvement in promoting gender equality and to explore opportunities for potential collaborative actions on similar events in the future. This feedback is essential for the African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace and Faith Partners (ACRL-RfP) as it will enable the refinement of strategies and the planning of future events that are more impactful and aligned with the needs and interests of the participants. The insights gathered will help ensure that subsequent efforts are more effective in fostering gender equality within faith communities.