EXCLUDING WOMEN from leadership weakens the commitment and
contributions of churches, theological institutions, and the
global church in their participation in God's prophetic mission.
It translates to women's priorities and specific needs being
inadequately articulated and under-resourced. Take Action on
This Issue For instance, matters of sexuality, reproductive
health education, and justice are hardly ever discussed in
churches or theological institutions, except when governments
want to legalize abortion. Similarly, little attention is given
to maternal health care despite the high rates of maternal death
and infant mortality in Africa. It is not enough for churches to
focus on baptizing children, blessing them, and welcoming them
into the house of God when they neglect to care for their well-
being from the time they are in their mothers' wombs, especially
now that so many children are born HIV-infected. Responsible and
healthy sexuality, childbearing, and parenting are matters that
require full engagemen