Building on the momentum of the successful conference held in March 2024, Hekima University college in collaboration with Watawa Wa Taa, is hosting the Second African Women Theologians Conference, under the theme: “Synodality in Action: Emerging Ecclesiologies, Vitality of Women and Discerning Leadership for the 21st Century.” The event which began on Tuesday September 3rd and ends on September 6th, this second conference according to HUC Principal Rev. Dr. Marcel Uwineza, SJ, represents continuity, growth, and renewed commitment to fostering a synodal Church that truly listens, discerns, and acts.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, which took place at conference venue Hekima University College Arrupe Amani Campus on Riara Road, Nairobi, Dr. Uwineza weaved together faith, history, vision, and challenge. He situates the conference within both the Gospel story and the Church’s evolving mission in Africa, framing it as a step forward in the Vision 2050 journey for the African Church.
Dr. Uwineza related the Gospel story of Mary Magdalene, who was the first to encounter and proclaim the Risen Christ as a divine sign that the Church’s mission cannot be fully proclaimed without women’s voices and leadership. “This spirit lives on in African women theologians, who, like Mary, stand at critical crossroads of faith, culture, and ministry to bring renewal and hope,” he expressed.
He situated the conference within the broader Vision 2050 journey of the African Church, highlighting four priorities from the recent SECAM meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, which included a Church of deep reflection and authentically African theology., a Church of dynamic, shared leadership, moving beyond clericalism, a Church prophetic in witness, addressing injustice, poverty, violence, and corruption, and a Church open to new frontiers — digital, interfaith, youth, cultural challenges, and bold pastoral engagement.
Hekima University College Council Mrs. Margaret Muhoro in her remarks at the opening ceremony honored the resilience, creativity, and vital role of women in shaping families, societies, and the Church, while noting that Africa’s rapidly changing context is reshaping women’s lives and choices.
She highlighted broken foundations affecting African women — family, education, justice, culture, and faith — and illustrated how violence, lack of education, failed justice systems, and oppressive traditions undermine women and, in turn, entire nations. Yet, she emphasized hope and responsibility: rebuilding these foundations through nurturing families, educating daughters, pursuing justice, and redeeming culture and faith in line with God’s design for equality and dignity.
Her call to action included: healing, empowering, and honoring women. “When you heal a woman, you heal families, when you empower women, you empower nations, and when you honor women, you honors God,” Mrs. Muhoro expressed adding that this is a mission for both the Church and society to restore dignity and hope for every African woman.
Speaking at the same event Sr. Mumbi Kigutha, President of Friends in Solidarity, a non-profit organization that supports development efforts in South Sudan, and a director of Watawa Wa Taa in her speech during the opening of the conference highlighted Africa’s unique place in the global Catholic Church — young, vibrant, and rapidly growing — yet still limiting women’s voices. She explained that the African Women Theologian Conference exists because women’s contributions remain restricted by customs, regulations, and poor formation, weakening the Church when their voices are silenced.
Sr. Mumbi called African women theologians to move from being rare exceptions to pioneers, shaping theology with lived experience, creating space for the marginalized, modeling inclusive and collaborative leadership, and nurturing transformation in the Church.
The gathering, she emphasized, is not just academic but sisterhood — affirming, supporting, and discerning together God’s call. Her vision: a turning point where African women theologians become essential, not exceptional, because the Church cannot reach its fullness without the voices of its daughters.
Hekima University College, with its 42-year tradition of theological scholarship and innovation, hosts this gathering as part of its strategic plan to ground research in faith, foster partnerships, and shape the future of the Church.
The Principal Dr. Marcel Uwineza, expressed gratitude to collaborators, especially Watawa Wa Taa, donors, and contributors of the first conference’s proceedings (now a book). He challenges participants to ensure the conference becomes a spark that ignites lasting change — influencing curricula, pastoral action, and Church structures, not just generating discussion.
By Pamela Adinda, HUC Communications Department
