Tumekutana

Presbyterian/Reformed African Women Leaders Gathering

THEME: Facing the Challenges of Africa
The Christian Woman’s Perspective
September 9-13, 2007
Nairobi, Kenya

CONFERENCE TESTAMENT

“Shout it aloud, do not hold back. “ Isaiah 58:1a
We, the Presbyterian/Reformed women leaders in Africa meeting at the Savelberg Retreat Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, September 9-13, 2007, state as follows:

• We are in appreciation of the work of the women of PC(USA) in creating this primal opportunity for Presbyterian, Reformed and Ecumenical women in Africa to come together in Kenya to discuss issues concerning Africa and how they affect the African woman.
• We recognize and repent of our evils in providing weapons of oppression to the oppressors by our silence and inaction.
• We recognize and repent of our hypocrisy by our lack of interest, knowledge and participation in civic activities relating to information, economic, political, health and socio-cultural issues concerning women and the marginalized.
• We recognize and repent of our selfishness in our failure to move beyond our comfort zones to demand accountable, responsible, transparent, consultative and servant leadership from our church and state.
• We declare that we are not unmindful of our call to be true Christians upholding the virtues of honesty, integrity and compassion. We will be good managers of our homes and seek contextual interpretation of Biblical doctrines and teachings.
• We declare that we will continue to work towards having a just society where a sizeable number of women will be in decision making positions in all sectors of the society.
• We declare that the Almighty God ordained that all human beings, women, men and children should have rights to physical, spiritual and emotional health in all its fullness and as such, addressing health issues such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, breast and cervical cancer, vesico-vaginal fistula, female genital mutilation and maternal mortality must have priority.
• We declare our determination to eradicate poverty from our continent through concrete activities of equal access to education, removal of gender roles, job skills training, such as marketing and income generating activities, and re-affirmation of the dignity and worth of women.
• We declare our commitment to speak out against the murder of our continent through wars on account of our natural resources in addition to bringing to accountability corrupt governments that mismanage our resources, through the vehicles of advocacy, lobbying and cohesive action.
• We declare that violence against persons of any kind especially gender-based violence is inexcusable as violence degrades women and men and robs them of their dignity. We state our commitment to identify cases of violence and establish support systems while seeking ways for women to overcome violence.
• We are saddened by the scourge of the HIV/AIDS disease that is ravishing the human and economic resources of our continent and state our commitment to create awareness of the disease, create support systems for people living with AIDS, seek ways to access free medication for people living with AIDS, encourage voluntary testing while speaking against stigmatization and discrimination.
• We state our gratitude for various ecumenical relationships and pledge our commitment to ensure mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Recognizing the value of this experience and the necessity of follow-up evaluation, we commit ourselves to reconvene this gathering in 2010.
• Finally, we thank God immensely for God’s mercies, protection and provision in making this gathering a possibility. We trust God for God’s continued guidance for the future as we commit ourselves to God’s service.

AFRICAN NATIONS IN ATTENDANCE:
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Lesotho
Madagascar
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
South Africa
Sudan
Zambia
Zimbabwe