Hello friend!
I wanted to let you know about a new initiative: empowering African women in theological education. This initiative prompted my August 2023 trip to Nairobi, Kenya where I attended an Overseas Council USA Institute for Excellence for women in Africa who are currently working in theological education. This was a new area for me to learn more about, but it’s the focus of Dr. Verena Schafroth’s (Overseas Council Europe) work.
She shares, “Our vision for this project is to see African women flourish and reach their God-given potential in African theological institutions to the benefit of the African Church.”
Myself in Nairobi with Dr. Nancy Njagi (Local Leaders International) and Dr. Verena Schafroth (Overseas Council Europe)
The challenges include: difficulties for women in finding mentors; cultural and societal expectations; smaller networks; lack of access to speaking engagements, publishing and collaborative writing; and a lack of access for females to established networks in their institutions.
It’s not only a lonely world for them, but it’s a profoundly challenging one.
While the challenges are multi-faceted and the barriers are many, Dr. Schafroth is hopeful for change that will ripple through the societies in continental Africa.
Dr. Schafroth aims to counter-act each of the challenges named above through strategic opportunities like:
- establishing a mentorship program
- initiating a regular online learning café
- providing publishing opportunities
- gathering five senior women to advise African Theological Education (ACTEA) on prioritizing access for women
- creating an online platform to increase networking and sharing information
Discussion topics at the Institute for Excellence included: realities for women in leadership in Africa and forging an authentic identity as a woman in theological education
Women are already contributing in myriad ways and with strategic empowerment can continue to increase their effectiveness while also paving the way for younger women to follow.
While full funding to support every aspect of the proposed initiative has not been secured, Dr. Schafroth is forging ahead as she can. This April, she will host another conference in Nairobi called “Multiplying the Laborers for the Harvest: Embracing Diversity in Theological Education”. This time, the female faculty members who attended August’s conference will attend with a male faculty member from that institution’s leadership. The hope is to facilitate a conversation that fosters the development and involvement of female faculty to their fullest potential.
We warmly request your prayers for this important work! If you would like any more information, please contact me (nicole@resourceleadership.com).
Warm regards,
Nicole
Nicole JanzAdvancement Coordinator
Please join us in praying for the future of women in theological education in Africa!
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