The Contributions and Challenges Faced by Women and Young People in Shaping Ecumenical Activities in Uganda
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Abstract
This study explored the contributions and challenges faced by women and young people in shaping ecumenical activities in Uganda. It was grounded in the recognition that women and youth were vital actors in advancing Christian unity, peacebuilding, social justice, and interfaith engagement within contemporary church contexts. While their participation had expanded in recent years, it often remained constrained by structural, cultural, and theological limitations. The study therefore examined the roles these groups played, analyzed their contributions to ecumenical cooperation, identified the challenges they encountered, and proposed ways to strengthen their participation. A qualitative research approach was adopted, drawing on feminist theory, participatory ecclesiology, and empowerment theory as complementary analytical frameworks. Feminist theory enabled a critical examination of gendered patterns of exclusion and inequality within ecclesial and ecumenical structures. Participatory ecclesiology provided a lens for understanding the Church as a community in which all members were called to active involvement in its life and mission. Empowerment theory informed the analysis of how institutional practices either enabled or constrained meaningful participation by women and young people. The study was based on a documentary analysis of institutional reports, policy documents, and publications from the World Council of Churches, the All-Africa Conference of Churches, and the Uganda Joint Christian Council, as well as contemporary scholarly literature. Thematic analysis was used to identify key patterns across these sources. Findings indicated that women and young people contributed significantly through community mobilization, advocacy, peacebuilding, and interfaith dialogue, but their engagement was limited by patriarchal leadership structures and socio-economic constraints.
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