From CBE’s 2024 Conference “Tell Her Story: Women in Scripture and History” in Denver, Colorado.
Ethiopia is the second most populous country in Africa. It is home to more than 116 million people, 98 percent of which acknowledge being from a particular faith background. Christianity and Islam are the two mainstream religions; faith plays an important role in the day-to-day lives of Ethiopians as people rely heavily on their religion and its teachings. Faith leaders are greatly respected across Ethiopia; what they choose to speak about influences the beliefs and actions of their communities. This workshop will examine the cultural impact of patriarchy, the prevalence of intimate partner violence, and the use of Scripture to justify ongoing inequality between women and men. Empowering faith leaders to advocate for biblical equality is key to transforming Ethiopian society.