Hekima University College (HUC) is excited to announce the upcoming African Women Theologians Conference 2025, which will be held from September 3rd to 6th in Nairobi, Kenya.

This significant event serves as a crucial platform for African women theologians to share their insights, engage in meaningful discussions, and contribute to the continued growth of the Church in Africa and beyond. The theme of this year’s conference, "Synodality in Action: Emerging Ecclesiologies, Vitality of Women, and Discerning Leadership for the 21st Century," emphasizes the evolving role of women in the Church and highlights their important contributions to theological discourse.

The conference continues a tradition of empowering and elevating African women in theology, building upon the success of the inaugural conference held in 2023. That event, which coincided with HUC’s 40th anniversary, celebrated the institution's ongoing commitment to advancing theological education for women in Africa. The 2023 conference focused on the theme "African Women Theologians and Synodality," aligning with Pope Francis' call for a synodal Church rooted in mutual listening, dialogue, and inclusivity.

The 2025 gathering seeks to build on this foundation and explore the ways the Church in Africa can embrace synodality in its evangelizing mission. The 1995 Apostolic Exhortation, Ecclesia in Africa, written by Pope John Paul II, underscored the need for reconciliation, solidarity, and engagement with the pressing social, political, and economic challenges facing the African continent. In the wake of the Synod on Synodality, which concluded in October 2024, the Church is entering an implementation phase. This makes the 2025 conference a timely moment for African women theologians to reflect on their role in shaping the Church’s future, particularly in light of synodal principles.

The 2025 conference will address a number of important questions central to the future of the Church in Africa:

1. How can the Church in Africa fulfill her evangelizing mission as a Synodal Church?

2. How can the culture of see, judge, and act be cultivated in the Church’s mission?

3. How can the synodal process inspire African women religious to reimagine and revitalize their vocations?

4. How can leadership be reimagined in a continent often beset by governance challenges?

These questions will form the basis for discussions aimed at fostering solutions-oriented dialogue and meaningful action.

The primary objectives of the 2025 African Women Theologians Conference are as follows:

1. Amplify Voices: Provide a global platform for African women theologians to contribute meaningfully to theological and ecclesial discourse.

2. Strengthen Leadership: Empower African women religious to take on intellectual and leadership roles within the Church and society.

3. Foster Empowerment: Create an environment that fosters liberation and empowerment for women theologians.

4. Build Networks: Establish a robust community of African women scholars dedicated to advancing the Church's mission.

The expected outcomes from the conference include:

1. Greater participation of African women in theological research and global theological discourse.

2. Recognition of women’s intellectual leadership in ecclesial and societal structures.

3. The creation of a network of African women theologians committed to shaping the future of the Church.

4. The publication of conference proceedings to further enrich theological scholarship.

Participation and Submission Guidelines

The conference is open to African women theologians, canonists, and religious women under the umbrella of Watawa wa Taa—a network of consecrated women dedicated to transformative work in Africa. Other theologians and scholars from related fields are welcome to attend by invitation.

Prospective participants must submit an abstract (not exceeding 500 words) to be considered for inclusion in the conference. Travel and accommodation expenses for selected presenters will be covered by HUC, in collaboration with Watawa wa Taa, the Conrad Hilton Foundation, and the Doctoral Scholarship for African Women Theologians.

Key Dates

Submission Deadline for Abstracts: April 30, 2025

Notification of Acceptance: May 20, 2025

Conference Dates: September 3–6, 2025

Arrival Date: September 2, 2025

Closing Mass & Remarks: September 7, 2025

Departure Date: September 8, 2025

The African Women Theologians Conference 2025 is more than just an academic event; it is a call to action. As the Church in Africa enters the implementation phase of the Synod on Synodality, this conference will provide a space for reflection, dialogue, and the sharing of actionable solutions. It invites African women theologians to step forward, share their experiences, and contribute to a Church that embraces synodality, inclusivity, and transformative leadership.

Hekima University College warmly invites theologians, scholars, and all those committed to the mission of the Church in Africa to participate in this important event. Together, we can build a future where the voices of African women in theology are not only heard but celebrated.

For more information and to submit abstracts, please contact:

Principal – Hekima University College: Marcel Uwineza, SJ, PhD

Chairperson – Conference Organizing Committee: Jacinta Auma Opondo, FSSA, M.Ed, J.C.D