The first meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council’s International Anglican Women’s Network (IAWN) took place last week at the Desmond Tutu Center in New York.
This is the first time Provincial Links and the Steering Group have been able to meet since its formation in 1996 to discuss the work of IAWN and its potential impact within the Church and beyond.
Thirty women, as either Provincial Link women or members of the Steering Group, came together to reflect on and plan the work of this significant Network which represents 40 million Anglican women across 165 countries. They also brought awareness of the challenges women face as women make up less than 6% of the membership of the Instruments of Communion of the Anglican Communion.
The group identified what they will work towards during the next triennium:
Elimination of all forms of violence against women and children, including trafficking.
Elimination of extreme poverty, including access to health care, safe water, and employment opportunities.
Promotion of gender equality throughout the Anglican Communion.
Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Promotion of gender budgeting, which is a key to all of the above.
The Steering group consists of women from diverse provinces around the globe: Francisca Bawayan (Philippines), Ayra Inderyas (Pakistan), Priscilla Julie (Indian Ocean), Alice Medcof (Canada), Patricia Menendez (Southern Cone), Sandra McPhee (The Episcopal Church), and Ann Skamp (Australia). The eighth member is Margaret Jones (Mothers’ Union [appointed]).
Here is the Anglican Communion News Service release.
This is the IAWN web site.