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Official of Tanzanian Catholic Bishops’ Conference Advocates for African Women Empowerment

Catholic women taking part in the workshop that the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) organized in Tanzania. Credit: WUCWO

The Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference (TEC) has advocated for the empowerment of women in Africa.

In his remarks during the opening of the July 3-6 workshop that the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO) organized in Tanzania, Fr. Charles Kitima said, “A well-empowered African woman has the power to change and give the world a new light.”

If these women are well-sharpened, they will become an example in the world to show what is not appropriate. They will show what an African mother is like, and what God’s plan is,” Fr. Kitima said Monday, July 3.

The TEC Secretary General added, “In order to achieve real progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we as a church, see mothers as the main actors who, if they are empowered by the church and government, can truly make the world an image of God.”

“This year, Catholic women in Africa will be a springboard to show the difference between African women and other women, especially on the issue of human dignity,” he said at the workshop for members of Catholic Women Associations across Africa.

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Also speaking at the workshop, Tanzania’s Minister of Community Development, Gender and Special Groups, Dorothy Gwajimba, called on Catholic women in the East African nation to use their gifts in addressing societal challenges.

“The government would like the Catholic Women of Tanzania Association to use its gifts as women and parents in family matters, child protection, the full and supportive upbringing of youth,” Ms. Gwajimba said.

She added that Catholic women in Tanzania can also use their gifts to address “sexual violence issues for men and women” and matters pertaining to the needs of “especially the elderly, prisoners and orphans.” 

The Tanzanian Minister said that the government is ready to listen to Catholic women and offer them support in their various efforts.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.