A consultation for theological institutions in Uganda, held 12-15 September, harnessed the contribution of theological institutions in promoting gender equity in the context of HIV and sexual and gender-based violence
The gathering was organized by the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy Eastern Africa Office.
Participants included theological institutions who are key partners in addressing gender equity and gender justice and holistic health in the context of AIDS and stigma, gender-based violence, and teen pregnancies.
Discussions explored behavior drivers, socioeconomic facilitators, and religio-political sustainers and their impacts. Theologians also gained knowledge and skills from speakers, shared their own experiences, and enhanced partnerships among participating institutions.
“The Uganda national HIV action plan 2021/22-2024/25 considers theological institutions as major stakeholders in its implementation,” reads an opening statement from the consultation. “Successful implementation of the entire action plan requires that theological institutions in Uganda, partly align the goals of their theological education and ministerial formation practices to the goal of the action plan.”
The consultation also interrogated the challenges of gender inequalities and existing gaps, as well as suggested ways in which they could be addressed through theological education. Participants identified ways of modeling theological institutions’ commitments to gender equity and strengthening collaboration among theological institutions, church leaders, and other stakeholders in promoting gender equity and ending AIDS by 2030.
