Close to one hundred theologians, church leaders and ecumenical partners gathered at the Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi for the Fifth National Theological Workshop of the Ecumenical Forum for Theologically Trained Women in Pakistan, with men taking part as full participants for the first time.

RAWALPINDI: The Ecumenical Forum for Theologically Trained Women in Pakistan successfully convened its Fifth Theological Workshop from October 23 to 25, 2026, at the Christian Study Centre (CSC), bringing together close to one hundred theologians, church leaders and ecumenical partners for three days of biblical reflection, theological engagement and collective commitment to justice and child protection. The theme was “From Silence to Solidarity: Women Leading Transformative Action for Justice and Child Protection.”

For the first time in the Forum’s workshop history, men were invited and took part as full participants, which organizers described as a significant step toward shared leadership, mutual learning and transformative solidarity between women and men.

The workshop featured a keynote address by Prof. Dr. Kwok Pui-lan, the internationally renowned Asian feminist and postcolonial theologian, whose reflections challenged participants to engage critically with structures of injustice and embrace faith-inspired transformative action. Ms. Naureen Akhtar provided an Urdu translation of the keynote, followed by a lively question-and-answer session.

Bishop Samuel Azariah, Director of the Christian Study Centre, delivered the opening remarks, and the Rev. Dr. Khushnud Azariah led the opening devotional reflection and contributed to discussions on moving from silence to solidarity.

Two Bible studies enriched the gathering.

The joint declaration that grew out of the discussions called for a fundamental transformation in the Church’s approach to women’s dignity, leadership and participation. It said Christian institutions must move beyond traditional charity toward practical solidarity, justice and equality, and it set out these main points:

1. Rethink patriarchal readings of Scripture that have historically restricted women’s participation in religious institutions.
2. Recognize women as leaders, advisers, teachers and figures of prophetic wisdom throughout biblical history, and as active participants in the ministry of Jesus, who challenged the social and religious conventions of his time.
3. Value feminist theology and inclusive interpretation, and encourage theological institutions to recognize women’s experiences and contributions.
4. Avoid confining God to exclusively masculine imagery, drawing on biblical images of divine compassion, nurturing care and feminine wisdom.
5. Move from charity to solidarity, addressing the structural causes of discrimination, exploitation and injustice rather than offering only temporary assistance.
6. Represent women meaningfully in church governance, theological education, pastoral leadership and decision-making, and extend equal dignity, opportunity and participation to women in society and the State.
7. Strengthen child protection in churches and religious institutions, with accountability, and ensure that silence is never used to conceal abuse or exploitation.
8. Reassess colonial and post-colonial theological assumptions that have contributed to the marginalization of women’s perspectives.

Participants also stressed that women are present in every sphere of society and that their contributions must become more visible in public discourse, institutional leadership and theological scholarship. The declaration challenged the culture of fear and silence that has restricted women’s participation in religious and public life, and rejected discriminatory interpretations, patriarchal structures and institutional practices that undermine women’s dignity. It also said women must play an active role in developing institutional policies and community initiatives to protect vulnerable children.

An informative panel facilitated by Ms. Saleema Munir examined child protection and exploitation from social, legal and theological perspectives. Participants heard from:

The presentations and group discussions challenged participants to move beyond concern toward collective advocacy, practical action and greater accountability in protecting vulnerable children. The workshop also included group sessions and the preparation of action plans aimed at turning theological reflection into practical initiatives.

The workshop culminated in an ecumenical service of Holy Communion, jointly celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Khushnud Azariah and Bishop Samuel Robert Azariah, Director of the Christian Study Centre. His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Coutts, Chairman of the Christian Study Centre, delivered the homily, offering a spiritual challenge to live out Christ’s message of love, justice and compassionate service. The participation of women and men together in the concluding worship expressed the workshop’s spirit of Christian unity, shared discipleship and solidarity in God’s mission.

The workshop concluded with a renewed collective commitment to protecting vulnerable children, empowering women, challenging injustice and strengthening ecumenical and interfaith solidarity. The gathering reaffirmed that faith cannot remain confined to words or theological reflection. It must become a living witness through courageous leadership, compassionate service and transformative action.

Experience the spirit, hope and collective vision of the Fifth Theological Workshop through its theme song, a musical expression of the shared journey from silence to solidarity, and from faith to transformative action.

Theme Song Video