Views expressed on this site are not necessarily the official position of the Diocese
While the term gender does not mean women, the way gender roles have been understood and shaped in the church is an indication that a focus on women is unavoidable.
Women have always taken their leadership roles in the church seriously, but have not always been part of the decision-making bodies of the church. A focus on sexism, therefore, is an important starting point of gender ministry in the church.
In addition to the important role the Church plays in transforming gender stereotyping and gender power-relations in families, society and in itself, the Church needs also to take more seriously the following question:
What theological, spiritual and social resources does the church have to inform, shape and sharpen its response/s to the challenges presented by the many (explicit and implicit) forms of gender-based discrimination and violence rampant in relationships, families, the church and wider community?
The Gender Desk of the Diocese strives to address this and other emerging questions and realities through the implementation of various programmes.
On a Diocesan level The Gender Desk is made up of...
On a Provincial level, Bishop Raphael Hess is the Liaison Bishop for Gender. The Revd Cheryl Bird convenes the Provincial Gender Desk, with Lay Canon Dr Miranda Pillay assisting her.