Conferences, aid campaigns, marches—women are empowering women in Africa and taking a stand for faith, community, education, and a deeper appreciation of their gender.
In the West Central District of Freetown, Sierra Leone, women have become the focus of a three-day conference in the Goderich congregation. The conference took place under the motto “Liberation from Lies in Order to Serve God”. Women had organised this event in order to break free from traditional views that threaten to keep them in the household, doing the cooking, raising the children, etc. and thus acquire the knowledge required to serve God freely. Lectures and group discussions included topics such as “Strengthening the role of women”, “Women in leadership positions”, and “The role of women in putting doctrine into practice”.
Photo: NAC Sierra Leone
This year’s Women’s Fellowship in Nigeria was celebrated under the motto “Fearless Women in Christ”. The three-day event began with a conference in the Ikeja Central church in Lagos. Other highlights of the event included numerous activities, ranging from a march past to a health talk show to workshops and various performances put on by the districts. The event concluded on Sunday with a divine service based on Acts 1: 8: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.”
Photo: NAC Nigeria
Celebrating Mother’s Day with heart, faith, and solidarity
The women of the New Apostolic congregation of Ho Central in Ghana visited a prison on the occasion of Mother’s Day this year. Under the motto: “Seen, appreciated, and loved”, they visited the women and mothers there. With songs and melodies from the Church choir, as well as gifts for the inmates of the women’s prison, they tried to offer encouragement, spread joy, and express their solidarity.
Photo: NAC Ghana
A large number of women from the Lunda Norte A region of Angola spent three days celebrating Mother’s Day. Participants came from eleven districts throughout the region. The programme included a lecture and various learning and counselling sessions. A particular highlight was a march to spread awareness of the problem of “Violence against Women”. Around 185 participants—dressed in blue as a symbol of peace, harmony, and hope—walked to the central township of Samaria. The intent of their campaign was to promote greater sensitivity and appreciation for women in society. Several district choirs provided musical entertainment to conclude the afternoon.
Photo: INA Angola
In Luanda, Angola, Mother’s Day in Region A was celebrated on the grounds of the Panguila congregation. Highlights included a musical programme on Saturday afternoon and a divine service on Sunday to conclude the festivities. The sermon was based on John 4: 28–29: “The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’” Some 1,837 people attended, 90 per cent of whom were mothers.
Photo: INA Angola