Workshop in Nairobi: An already consolidated network

From 29 September to 2 October 2025, the 4th WUCWO Observatory Workshop was held in Nairobi, Kenya, entitled: "African Network to End Violence and Discrimination Against Women: Hope in action, leadership for transformation", which brought together 54 leaders from 16 African countries, including lay women from WUCWO member organisations and religious women from various congregations. During four days of training, dialogue and networking, the participants committed themselves to strengthening collaboration to end violence and discrimination against women in Africa. In addition, this time there was a new feature: for the first time, men participated throughout the programme.

Programme and highlights

The entire workshop took place at the Dimesse Centre in Karen, where the Dimesse sisters warmly welcomed all participants.

The opening day, 29 September, began with Holy Mass presided over by Monsignor Wallace Ng'ang'a, followed by several Conversations in the Spirit. Participants reflected on the importance of communication for the #InvisibleNoMore campaign and on the power of storytelling as a tool for awareness-raising and social transformation.

On 30 September, Sister Ngozi Francis Uti delivered a comprehensive leadership programme divided into four modules: Introduction to Leadership, Women in Leadership, Leadership Capacity Building and Leadership in Action. The day also included opportunities for group reflection and sharing in plenary sessions. Afterwards, there was a visit to the centre of Nairobi as a recreational team-building activity, including the Holy Family Basilica, the  Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) (a terrace with panoramic views of the city) and a local market.

1 October was devoted to lectures and discussions on different areas of action:

• Session 1: Disarming violence and discrimination through women's participation in the synodal Church (led by Sr. Rosemary Arrah and Fr. Charles Kilonzo).

• Session 2: Catalysts for change: universities, young people and men against gender-based violence (led by Dr Jane Wathuta and Mr Patrick Mutunga Muli).

• Session 3: Education and communication: tools for transformation (led by Dr Elias Mokua, SJ and Ms Joy Kasenwa).

• Session 4: Empowerment and fundraising for women in Africa (led by Mr Moises Ng’an’a).

• Session 5: Projects and testimonies of women's empowerment (with projects such as those of Dr Sylvia Ruambo).

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On 2 October, the final day, the participants shared a Conversation in the Spirit under the theme "Moving forward: what is the Spirit calling us to?", discerning together the steps to be taken as an African network.

Testimonies and fruits of the meeting

At the end of the workshop, Patricio Caruso, consultant to the Observatory and one of the organisers, shared his impressions:

"I am left with the feeling of a well-established network. This meeting helped to strengthen the bonds between lay women and religious women, both in their countries and internationally. “Here, leaders are emerging, and others are following their lead – offering great hope for the future."

For her part, Ana Martiarena, Project director at the Observatory, said: "What we valued most about this workshop was the atmosphere of trust and closeness, the result of many years of shared work, which allowed for warm conversations and a genuine meeting between leaders. The prominence of the African team, the participation of men and the networking between lay people and congregations show the path we want to follow: getting to know each other better in order to work better together. We leave with the certainty that training, especially in leadership, collaboration between lay people and religious, and the visibility of good practices are key to our common future."

Notably, among the participants were Sister Juunza from Zambia, a finalist for the Opus Prize, and Sister Francis Ngozi Uti, who received this prestigious award last year. We would also like to highlight the presence of Dr Alice Muchiri, Coordinator-Africa Chapter of the International Catholic Legislators Network, and Mr Patrick Mutunga, President of the Catholic Men's Association of Kenya.

A growing network

The Nairobi workshop not only provided training and opportunities for reflection, but also helped to consolidate an African network of Catholic women leaders committed to the eradication of violence and discrimination.

The visit to Nairobi was also a valuable opportunity for advocacy and strengthening networking, including meetings with key figures such as Kenya's Deputy Attorney General, Irene Maina, and a visit to Parliament to meet with Senator Phylis Bartoo.

All this with the aim of expanding opportunities for collaboration between the network and strategic local actors.

In a spirit of synodality, hope and transformation, the WUCWO World Observatory continues to promote women's empowerment processes across the African continent.

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