From the local to the global level, women’s leadership and participation are limited or restricted. Women are underrepresented and denied leading positions, in all spheres of life. This occurs despite their proven abilities as leaders and agents of change and their right to equal participation. Women in church and society will have to overcome these obstacles for the benefit of society at large.

Even after several initiatives by the ecumenical movement for women’s empowerment and leadership development, the Churches in Asia are still slow to acknowledge and accept gender and women’s concerns as a critical issue within the church. Many churches are still faced with situations where women are not accepted as leaders and are often denied prominent roles in the church. The space that women occupy in the church is often perceived to be an extension of their home life instead of involvement in mainstream church activities and decision-making bodies.

The struggle for inclusive communities in the household of God urges churches in Asia to come out of the state of cosmetic presentation of women but ensure full use of their abilities and equal participation at all decision-making levels. CCA will focus on women’s leadership development and encourage and accompany the Churches in Asia to overcome the barriers hindering the leadership of women in church and society; to provide women leaders opportunities for wider exposure to the ecumenical movement and involvement advocating for women’s issues; and revitalize the ecumenical women’s network in Asia.