Early last year the women's department of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar, "Dorkasy", began an ambitious four-year programme on gender and development. The aim is to strengthen the leadership of Malagasy women and their involvement in decision-making at all levels of the church and society. The programme, sponsored by the Reformed churches partnership fund, is now well under way.

women's demonstration
Women demonstrate for democracy and against tribal and economic justice

Ten urban and rural centres offer courses in sewing, embroidery, nutrition, hygiene, and setting up income-generating activities. Grassroots community development is promoted through education, training and marketing, e.g., cheese production, exchange and sales of agricultural and handicraft products, or the loan of plates and dishes for community events. Seminars and national or regional radio programmes help the mostly rural population to understand their legal rights.

Regional meetings at synod level sensitize and train women on gender and development in the context of WARC's call to covenant for justice in the economy and the earth. The participants are aware of the necessity to strengthen the women at the grassroots by helping them to acquire adequate training and equipping them for leadership positions in the church and society. A women's team of four assures the liaison with the rural women in remote regions and offers support on questions of health, social and legal problems, income-generating projects and cultural and recreational activities.

Karin Wisniewski, Reformed churches partnership fund