WCC news: Beijing 30+ Consultation opens: “Our spiritual journey is shaped by the lived realities of women”

A Beijing 30+ Consultation opened in Jakarta, Indonesia on 4 December, marking 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action at the Fourth World Conference on Women. Marking 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration participants gathered for a group photo urging action for today as part of the WCC #ThursdaysInBlack campaign - towards a world without rape and violence. Photo: Elly Diah Praptanti/PGI 4 December 2025 Opening prayers were led by the Communion of Churches in Indonesia moderator Rosiana Purnomo. Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace, brought opening greetings, reflecting that gender justice is a Gospel imperative. “It is not optional,” he said. “The Beijing Platform for Action of 1995 gave us concrete actions—and the churches responded through the Decade of Solidarity with Women, organizing the WCC Beijing process and convening ecumenical gatherings across the world.” Our spiritual journey is shaped by the lived realities of women, added Mtata. “Their struggles call us to stand together,” he said. “The perseverance of women in our churches and communities is unstoppable.” Despite every obstacle, women continue to move history forward, he said. “There is so much to celebrate: the ordination of women, the adoption of gender policies, and the expanding leadership of women across traditions,” he said. “The vision of Beijing remains fragile.” Mtata noted that gender-based violence and systemic inequalities continue to rise. “Our faith reminds us that every human being is created in the image of God,” he said. “This is the ethical imperative that grounds our action.” Culture can be a real danger when it becomes an excuse to deny dignity and equality, he warned. “This is a Kairos moment: a time to discern, to act, and to ask: what strategies do we need to respond faithfully?” Communion of Churches general secretary Rev. Darwin Darmawan, noted that the agenda of gender-based violence profoundly challenges our churches.  “We must ask ourselves: how can we truly be active agents of faith?” he asked. “Power and education are essential tools.” He urged people to ensure that women’s voices are heard. “Beijing reminded the world—and the churches—that women’s rights are human rights,” he said. “Yet we continue to fail whenever we justify inequality for religious reasons.” When we speak with clarity as churches, Darmawan added, we speak from the grounding of our faith.  “Our task is to coordinate, to collaborate, and to stand alongside others committed to justice,” he said. “Today we are called to renew our commitment by reclaiming gender rights as a central dimension of our discipleship.” This is not just policy work, Darmawan concluded, but a spiritual calling, a discipleship calling. “And we must continue to work on it with conviction and hope,” he said. The consultation will underscore the theological foundations of the WCC's commitment to gender equality: that justice, in the biblical sense, ensures that all people have equal access to resources, opportunities, and protections necessary for their flourishing.  Photo gallery Beijing 30+ Consultation in Indonesia will underscore WCC’s commitment to gender equality (WCC news release, 2 December 2025) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland