Where theology meets change: the African challenge for gender equality

by Miriam Francesca Bianchi*

Imagine a crossroads of faiths, cultures, and social commitment where theology intertwines with activism to foster real change. This is the spirit of the Pan African Faith & Gender Justice Conference, a biennial interfaith dialogue event organized by the Institute for Faith and Gender Empowerment (IFAGE). Since 2017, it has provided safe spaces for dialogue on difficult issues such as gender-based violence and discrimination within religious communities, promoting an inclusive re-reading of sacred texts to foster reconciliation and justice.

The fifth edition will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 17 to 19, 2025, at St. Paul’s University. The chosen theme, Mutuality in God: A Faith Response for Peace & Gender Reconciliation, calls for the building of relationships grounded in equality and inclusion. Around 250 delegates from various countries will take part in pre-conferences, exhibitions, and plenary sessions, all of which have been designed to equip faith leaders to become agents of social change.

Women are the driving force of the Pan African Faith & Gender Justice Conference, and who are reshaping the conversation on gender justice. Esther Mombo, an Anglican expert in African contextual theology, and Nontando Hadebe, a Catholic scholar of feminist theology, will lead the discussion, while reinterpreting Scripture to affirm women’s equality and dignity. Alongside them, leaders like Bishop Rose Okeno, the first female bishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, and activists such as Wangari Ngunjiri and Emily Nielsen Jones exemplify the power of women’s leadership in driving change.

The impact of the conference goes far beyond academic debate: it fosters tangible social justice, strengthening alliances among religious communities, civil society, and development organizations. In addition, the Pan African Faith & Gender Justice Conference supports networks against gender-based violence and encourages strategic dialogue. It is regarded as one of the most influential events on the topic, as it shows how an inclusive faith can be a catalyst for social transformation.

In Italy, the conversation around faith and gender is still evolving. This African experience offers a concrete example of how religious leaders can courageously confront issues of justice and inclusion. The conference is not just an event; it is a global call and a practical workshop for building a more just, dialogical, and faith-rooted world.

*A Lecturer, and PhD candidate in Theology