The world has made tremendous progress as far as recognition of women’s rights is concerned, and this is definitely something to be proud of. In our country (Kenya) we can identify many things which could demonstrate this progress, but I think the most remarkable thing is their current status in the new constitution. While the old constitution dating back to independence (1963) did not care much about gender equality, it is now illegal to deny Kenyan women the rights to inherit their father’s estate on the basis of marital status or gender. This is clear according to articles 27 and 60 of the constitution of Kenya, which was signed into law by President Mwai Kibaki on 27 August 2010. Similarly, under the new Constitution, a number of special seats will have to be set aside for women in Parliament, and when political parties will be nominating members to the August House, they will have to pay special attention to gender parity–an obvious departure from what has been the norm. This effort to include women in leadership to me is a great achievement which is supposed to be encouraged to the lowest level of society.

We however also know that there are still millions of women who do not enjoy the basic rights or who do not receive elementary considerations. This means therefore that the war for equal rights and the empowerment of women to achieve them is still far from over. Today, it is important to note that a constant bravado about equalization of rights between the two sexes is not enough since the problem is far much deeper than just that. The world today must aim at achieving a complementarity of genders, in which men and women contribute their proper gifts and energies to the building of a better world; one which is not leveled into mere uniformity, but harmoniously organized and unified world, in accordance with the plan of the Creator; yes, a world that is renewed and reconciled.

Women in the Church

At this time in history, we cannot and should not dichotomize the life of society and that of the Church. We Catholics, must to see that the empowerment of women is recognized and accompanied not only in the civil world but also in the Church. Vatican II reminded us of the rights and duties of all the baptized- men and women alike- to share as responsible members of God’s Family in the mission of the Church. The council also noted that in our time women have an increasingly larger role in the life of society, and therefore it is important that they participate more intensely in the various areas of the apostolate” (Decree on the apostolate of the laity,9). Although women did not receive the same call (role) to the apostolate as the twelve and all the ordained ministers today, they are nonetheless invited to follow Christ as disciples. It is worth remembering that women accompanied Jesus in his ministry in Galilee, and many were under his cross when he died. They witnessed his burial and in the morning of the resurrection were its first witnesses. Due to these presences, we can justly say that although the ministry of the apostles was the foundation of the Church, the ministry given to women also contributed greatly to the feeding and strengthening the faith of the Christian communities.

Given that we cannot change either our Lord’s actions or his call to women, our duty today is to acknowledge and help develop more the voice of women in the work of evangelization and in the life of the Christian community because, after all, there is evidence of women participation in various forms in the work of the Church from the early Christian communities to our time. Furthermore, for several decades now, a large number of Christian communities have in fact been benefiting from the apostolic involvement of women especially in the important area of pastoral care of the family. At present women are involved in the important fields of religious education and spiritual formation, preparation for the sacraments, catechesis, heading organizations that help the poor and those on the margin of society, the leadership of Catholic Action, the discernment and fostering of vocations and participation in Catholic socio-professional movements. A few years back the Pope appointed Ms Flaminia Giovanelli, a lay woman, as an under secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. Similarly, an Italian nun, Sr. Enrica Rosanna, holds a similar position in the Congregation of Religious. This is a clear evidence that the Church is appreciating fuller and meaningful participation of women in the development of society as the late pope, John Paul II always wished.

The challenge of the moment however is the task of awakening women in the rural sectors of society, and advancing women’s cause at the grassroots level, both in the civil society and in the Church. This task is rather important because it is the foundation to the discovery of respect for and protection of the rights and prerogatives of all women, single or married, in education, in the professions, and in civil-social and religious life. As we celebrate the international women’s day we are called to acknowledge the irreplaceable contribution of women in the formation of society and hence in ensuring world peace and co-existence.