An Anglican Communion News Service article about the women’s Indaba is available here.

[Episcopal News Service] The women’s Indaba process was launched March 1 with a three-day program at the Episcopal Church Center in New York.

The event, facilitated through a partnership between Anglican Women’s Empowerment (AWE) and the Anglican Communion’s Continuing Indaba program, was the first of its kind. It was the first Indaba program designed for a specific group – women; the first focused on a specific theme – the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls; and the first designed and delivered as a three-day module.

Given the many firsts, there was a high level of anticipation and a sense of uncertainty.

We were asked several questions. “What is the goal?” “What do you hope to achieve?” “How will it work?” We were unable to give exact answers; Indaba is an organic process, going where the Lord leads and where the group finds itself after deep conversation, prayer, and contemplation. We knew it meant trusting the process, our facilitators, and one another to do the work that came before us.

The women who participated in this Indaba program came from the global north and south, from different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We learned that violence against women and girls plays out in different and similar ways but that despite these differences “we are one in Jesus Christ.”

Essentially, the program was a place to “put down the burden,” a place to rejuvenate and draw strength, a place to share with others in a way we can’t or don’t do at home. It was an opportunity to talk about violence against girls and women. It was not a conversation based on facts and figures and set speeches but rather through genuine sharing with women who are experiencing or witnessing violence, not in the abstract but in real life.

We acknowledged that violence is a denial of humanity and that we must recognize and understand that “because I am human, you are human.” That restoration comes through healing and God’s love for us.

Our time together was about creating pathways to healing and wellness, to a world free from violence against women and girls through education, economic empowerment, and breaking the silence in our communities and homes.

It is now clear to those who participated in the first women’s Indaba program that it will not be the last. We have already begun talking about gathering again in a central location in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. The objective would be to go even deeper and begin to address the key issues that emerged, the need for education, economic empowerment, and breaking the silence.

We are also discussing a parallel young girl’s Indaba program. We envision the U.S. women and girls traveling to Africa, participating in our respective Indaba programs, and then coming together to broaden our discussions and begin to create a plan for working together in partnership to address the challenges facing women and girls related to education, economic empowerment, and breaking the silence.

— Diane Eynon is chair of Anglican Women’s Empowerment.