The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) held its 18th General Council at the Milele Beach Hotel of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa from 6th – 13th April, 2024. The 2024 Council was, in all measures, an impactful and eventful occasion that saw two hundred and fifty (250) stakeholders from across Africa, Europe and North America take part in its various Pre & Post Council workshops and activities.

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For far too long, the conversation surrounding Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Africa has overlooked a crucial demographic - women. Much as they have been mainly on the receiving end of FoRB violations, women’s potential as influential advocates of religious freedom for all has been largely untapped. However, a recent two-day workshop hosted by the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) in Mombasa, Kenya, aimed to rewrite this narrative. This wasn't just a workshop but a springboard for action, bringing together FoRB Trainers, a diverse group of actors and organizations in the space of protecting and promoting FoRB in Africa with a shared mission of empowering women against FoRB violations and as champions of FoRB in Africa.

Rev. Ukoha Ngwobia, one of PROCMURA's FoRB Trainers from Nigeria, and Ms. Laydia Sawadogo from Burkina Faso. 

The insightful two-day workshop focusing on “Enhancing Local Change-Makers in Promoting Freedom of Religion or Religious Belief and Respect for FoRB Women in Sub-Sahara Africa” is a perfect example of these workshops. This interactive workshop marked a significant shift in the conversation. It challenged a common perception that, more often than not, regards women as victims or potential victims of FoRB violations only. On the contrary, as participants in this workshop would agree, women are powerful agents of change as far as FoRB is concerned.

Dr. Sammy Mang’eli, a seasoned FoRB Trainer, opened the workshop with a well-researched, well-grounded presentation on ‘Freedom of religion or belief and Human Rights’. The presentation emphasized the right everyone has to choose, confess, or practice their religion or belief of choice, void of any kind of discrimination. Mr. Mang’eli further led the participants in highlighting the things that impede one's exercise of this basic human right in their own context, given that FoRB violations differ from place to place.

_{Dr. Sammy Mang’eli preparing to make his presentation during the workshop.} 

The workshop brought together diverse participants, including FoRB Trainers and Members of the Sub-Sahara FoRB Network, powered by PROCMURA, Stefanus Alliance International (SAI), religious leaders, women's rights advocates, and representatives from African civil society organisations interested in promoting FoRB in Africa. The workshop marked a shared commitment to promoting FoRB and ensuring its full realization for women.

_{A delegation from Ghana led by PROCMURA's FoRB Coordinator in Africa Dr. Haruna Zagoon-Zayeed (second right).} 

Vija Herefoss, a representative from SAI, delved deeper into the correlation between FoRB and gender in her presentation, ‘Freedom of Religion or Belief and Women’s Rights’. Apart from spotlighting some of the most frequent FoRb vilations meted on women, the session also played an important role in coming up with resolutions and solutions to address these violations.

_{Vija Herefoss from Stefanus Alliance International (SAI) emphasizing a point  during her presentation.} 

One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the reframing of the narrative around FoRB and women in Africa. Traditionally, the focus has often been on women as vulnerable groups susceptible to FoRB violations. While acknowledging this reality, the workshop participants emphasized the immense soft power African women wield within their families and communities. This "soft power" comes from their roles as mothers, educators, and spiritual leaders, making them well-positioned to champion FoRB principles and change of behaviours and attitudes towards women as far as FoRB is concerned.

In a post-workshop interview with the PROCMURA Media Centre, Judith Kunyiha, a renowned FoRB Trainer, said, "The workshop underscored the crucial role women play within African families. They wield a powerful influence, and equipping them with the knowledge and tools to advocate for FoRB can have such a ripple effect throughout communities that we all desire to see in our continent."

Ms. Kunyiha delivered a presentation on ‘Freedom of Religion or Belief and Gender Dynamics’ during the workshop.

_{Ms. Judith Kunyiha (left) with the French interpreter Lydia Sawadogo from Burkina Faso.}

The workshop provided a platform for attendees to share experiences, discuss challenges, and brainstorm strategies for promoting FoRB for women in a session facilitated by Dr. Haruna Zagoon-Zayeed, PROCMURA’s FoRB Coordinator in Africa and a Senior Muslim cleric in Ghana, in a session titled “Sharing of experiences and opinions on promoting FORB for Women in Africa”. The interactive session explored topics such as:

• Gender-based FoRB violations: Participants identified specific challenges faced by women, such as restrictions on religious attire or participation in religious rituals.
• Empowering women as faith leaders: Discussions focused on ways to encourage and support women in taking on leadership roles within their religious communities.
• Utilizing women's networks for FoRB advocacy: Participants explored how to leverage existing women's networks within their respective communities to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding.

_{Rev. Ukoha Ngwobia, one of PROCMURA's FoRB Trainers from Nigeria, in one of the sessions.} 

Beyond individual presentations, the workshop was a space for collaborative brainstorming. Participants identified actionable steps for promoting FoRB for women in Africa as guided by Dola Oluoch – PROCMURA’s Project Officer. This included:

_{Mr. Nicholus Dola guiding the session.} 

• Developing training programs specifically designed to equip women with the knowledge and skills to advocate for their FoRB rights.
• Creating safe spaces where women from different faiths can come together to discuss FoRB issues and build trust and synergies in addressing FoRB related issues they might be facing.
• Engaging men and boys in FoRB initiatives to foster a culture of respect for women's religious freedom.

"One of the most powerful aspects of the workshop was the sense of community and shared purpose. We left feeling empowered and equipped to not only advocate for our own rights as women in relation to FoRB but also champion FoRB for all in Africa," Ms. Hidaya Maulidi Dude, a Programme Assistant working with the Norwegian Church Aid in Tanzania, observed in a post-workshop interview.

_{Ms. Hidaya Maulidi Dude speaking with the PROCMURA Media Centre after the workshop.} 

The FoRB workshop that took place during the PROCMURA's 18th General Council symbolised the PROCMURA's commitment to a more inclusive approach to protecting and promoting FoRB, particularly for women, in Africa. By empowering women and recognizing their unique role as champions of FoRB, PROCMURA is paving the way for a future where all Africans, regardless of gender or faith, can freely practice and publicly confess their religions or beliefs without any fear of discrimination. The workshop's outcomes will undoubtedly inform future initiatives to empower women in order for them to make even more contribution towards building a more peaceful and inclusive Africa.

The youth population in Africa is projected to double and reach nearly a staggering billion people by 2050. This demographic surge brings with it immense potential for economic growth, innovation, and cultural diversity. However, it also poses significant challenges, particularly in the realm of social cohesion and peace. The youth, often the most vibrant and dynamic segment of the society, are also highly susceptible to manipulation by those spreading hate, religious intolerance, radicalization and violent extremism.

In this context, the Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) organized a two-day workshop during its week-long 18th General Council in Mombasa, Kenya, to create awareness and foster understanding among the youth on the importance of religious tolerance and cooperation, respect for diversity and promoting religious freedom for all. This is an essential step in harnessing the potential of this demographic and creating synergy to achieve a more peaceful, inclusive and developed Africa.

_{A Christian and Muslim youth keenly following proceedings in the workshop.} 

The workshop, themed "Fostering Religious Tolerance among the Youth for Sustainable Peace and Development", was not just a standalone event but a strategic initiative informed by PROCMURA’s areas of work and a direct response to the African Union's Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want. This ambitious agenda envisions an inclusive, peaceful and secure continent for everyone. Recognizing the critical role of the youth in achieving these goals, PROCMURA gathered youth leaders from across East Africa for a series of dialogues and capacity-building activities designed to enhance their knowledge and understanding of religious tolerance and cooperation for sustainable peace and development.

_{PROCMURA's Youth Coordinator Rev. Winny Metto facilitating one of the sessions.} 

Over the course of two days, the workshop featured a series of interactive sessions, panel discussions, and breakaway group activities. Experts on religious tolerance and peacebuilding provided insights and facilitated discussions on various informative topics aimed at fostering interfaith cooperation in a religiously pluralistic environment.

Sheikh Musa Mwale, a senior Muslim cleric and religious scholar in Kenya and one of the workshop facilitators, laid the foundation for interactive discussions and rich engagement in his presentation, “Understanding Religious Tolerance.”

_{Sheikh Musa Mwale from the Council of Imams in Kenya engaging the young people in the workshop.} 

“The interactive workshop facilitated the exchange of ideas and best practices in promoting religious tolerance and cooperation by bringing together youth leaders drawn from different Church Denominations, Mosques, Ecumenical Organizations, Learning Institutions and Youth-Led Organizations in East Africa. This platform allowed participants to learn from their facilitators and from each other's experiences and develop effective, innovative and practical peacebuilding strategies within their respective communities,” Shiekh Musa Mwale said.

In a bid to create synergies among young people, Rev. Dr. Simon Babs Mala, a religious scholar and researcher based in Canada, made an impactful presentation on “The Role of the Youth in Fostering Interreligious Cooperation”. These synergies are essential in amplifying the impact of the young people’s efforts in promoting religious tolerance and cooperation for sustainable peace and development. The youth leaders were equipped to tackle religious intolerance more effectively through the power of collective action, collaborative projects and networking, an approach that Dr Mala observed has been tried, tested and proven to be effective.

_{Rev. Dr. Simon Babs Mala from Canada delivering his presentation.} 

A significant milestone of the workshop was the launch of the PROCMURA East Africa Youth Network. This network is envisioned as a dynamic and robust platform for continuous engagement, mentorship, support, and collaboration among the region's young people committed to promoting peace and religious tolerance as their eyes remain fixed on the larger picture of making a significant contribution towards achieving the PROCMURA Continental Youth Movement. 

_{A section of the youth in a breakaway session.} 

"The importance of engaging the youth in peacebuilding cannot be overstated," said Rev. Ignatius Sheri, a priest of the ACK Diocese of Eldoret and a Dean of Students at Moi University in Kenya. "Young people are often the primary targets of radical groups seeking to sow discord through hate and religious intolerance, especially in learning institutions. Empowering youth leaders with the knowledge and tools to counter these influences is essential for the future of Africa."

_{Rev. Ignatius Sheri, a priest of the ACK Diocese of Eldoret and a Dean of Students at Moi University in Kenya.}

Rev. Sheri took the youth through a session on “Creating Peaceful and Inclusive Societies: The Case of Moi University PROCMURA Chapter.” The Moi University PROCMURA Chapter is one of the Chapters that PROCMURA has established in institutions of higher learning to help address the rise of radicalization, violent extremism, religious intolerance, and other issues of common concern among the youth in these institutions.

A presentation by Mr. Azgard Stephen of the Christian Council of Tanzania on “Preventing/Countering Religious Intolerance, Radicalization and Violent Extremism Among the Young People” marked yet another highlight of the workshop. The presentation provided a platform for participants to share their communities' best practices and successful initiatives to fight against this menace. These ranged from interfaith sports events to collaborative community projects, among others. Such exchanges underscored the creativity and resilience of young people in addressing religious intolerance in their own small but effective contexts.

_{Mr. Azgard Stephen, a representative of the Christian Council of Tanzania.}

“By fostering religious tolerance among the youth, PROCMURA addresses the immediate challenges of religious intolerance and builds the foundation for long-term sustainable peace and development in Africa. As these young leaders return to their communities, they carry with them the seeds of change, ready to cultivate a future where peace, coexistence and respect for religious diversity are not just aspirations but realities,” PROCMURA’s Youth Coordinator Rev. Winny Metto observed after the workshop. “As an organisation, we will be making follow-ups to make sure that this network remains effective and culminates to the PROCMURA Youth Movement in Africa, which will be a voice for the young people anchored on and informed by PROCMURA’s great work.”

_{Rev. Winny Metto having some light moments with a section of the youth after the workshop.} 

The workshop's impact was palpable, as participants left with renewed vigour and a shared commitment to be PROCMURA Youth Peace Ambassadors in their respective communities. Establishing the PROCMURA East Africa Youth Network further solidified this commitment, providing a structured platform for ongoing collaboration and support.

The 18th General Council, which brought together various partners of PROCMURA from Europe and North America, Ecumenical Organizations, Heads of Churches and National Councils of Churches, Learning Institutions and other stakeholders from across Africa, coincided with PROCMURA marking 65 years of its existence as movement dedicated to promoting constructive relations between Christians and Muslims towards the wholistic development of the African human family.

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