Gender justice

Transforming relationships and addressing imbalances and injustice

All people are created in God’s image as equals in rights and dignity. That is the theological concept on which gender justice is based. Gender justice recognizes and addresses systems and situations of imbalance and injustice to help transform relationships between people.

Together with its member churches and World Service country programs, the LWF develops tools and resources to ensure gender equality at all levels of work and ministry. We do this through awareness raising, action, advocacy, and accountability to overcome discrimination, sexism, and violence. Partnering with the United Nations and other secular and faith-based organizations, we have a specific focus on women’s human rights and economic empowerment and the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence in churches and broader society. LWFviews men and boys as partners in its quest for gender justice in both church and society.

Women Advocacy Training 2019-109-2 — The LWF along with partners, set up a four-day training workshop on Women Human Rights Advocacy for Faith-Based Organizations. Photo: LWF/S. Gallay

Partners

Young Women's Christian Association World Council of Churches Women's program 16 Days of Activism against Gender based violence

Gender Justice Policy

The LWF Council approved the LWF Gender Justice Policy in 2013. Our faith reflection on gender and power of 2009 and inclusivity and gender justice resolutions of the Eleventh LWF Assembly held in Stuttgart, Germany, in 2010 laid the foundation for this vital tool. The gender justice policy will assist the communion in achieving equality between women and men by implementing measures that promote justice and dignity.

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Collaboration with LWF programs

WICAS helps shape theological reflection from the Department for Theology and Public witness, focusing on gender perspectives and women in theology. We interact with the Department for Mission and Development through programs on inclusiveness, both globally and regionally, and we work jointly with the LWF's humanitarian arm, World Service, to ensure that staff and policies reflect the LWF understanding of gender justice.

Milestones in LWF history

The story of women's representation in the communion at a global level begins in the 1950s. SInce then, it has evolved into a fully-fledged department and program, recognised throughout the communion for its commitment to gender justice and women's empowerment.

1952 – Women’s section initiated at second LWF Assembly at Hannover, Germany
1970 – Women’s Desk instituted at the fifth LWF Assembly at Evian, France
1975 – First Advisory Committee to Women’s Desk is appointed
1984 – LWF ensures at least 40% women’s participation in assemblies
2001 – Churches Say NO to Violence against Women
2009 – Council receives faith reflection on gender and power document
2010 – Eleventh Assembly adopts principles of inclusivity and gender policy
2011 – LWF ensures equal salaries for its female and male employees
2011 – Gender Advisory Group provides guidelines and values for a gender policy
2013 – Launch of the LWF Gender Justice Policy
2017 – Resolutions and message from the Twelfth Assembly

Climate Justice

LWF’s advocacy for creation care and climate justice

Human Rights

In all our human rights advocacy, we hold governments accountable for their human rights obligations, particularly in the context of international United Nations frameworks.

Interfaith and Peace

LWF’s advocacy for peace through interfaith dialogue. Conversations among people of different faith traditions and working together contribute to mutual understanding and trust between faith communities, social communities, and nations.