Women leaders from EMS member churches and partner organisations around the world will gather in Cape Town, South Africa, from 20 to 25 October 2026 for two closely connected events: the meeting of the EMS International Women's Network and a conference hosted by the Moravian Church in South Africa (MCSA) under the theme, From Reflection to Action: Strengthening MCSA's Response to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

“The gathering comes at a critical time for South Africa, where gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) remain among the country's most pressing social and human rights challenges,” says Anda Nkosi of the MCSA, who also serves as Chief Director of Strategy at the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.

Recent crime statistics indicate that nearly 10,000 rapes were reported within a three-month period, alongside thousands of additional cases of sexual offences, domestic violence and assault. Advocacy organisations warn that the true extent of violence is likely far greater, as many incidents remain unreported.

Research further shows that violence frequently occurs in homes and communities where women and children should be safest. Persistent challenges such as poverty, inequality, patriarchal attitudes and harmful social norms continue to fuel GBVF across the country.

Against this backdrop, the Cape Town gathering seeks to foster learning, solidarity and practical action. Bringing together local and international perspectives, participants will explore how churches can contribute to preventing violence, supporting survivors and advancing gender justice.

International Women's Network Meeting

From 20 to 22 October, members of the International Women's Network (IWN) will reflect on the network's future direction, strengthen relationships across regions and develop strategies to expand women's participation in the life and leadership of churches.

Discussions will focus on the network's vision and structure, spiritual renewal, resource development and ways of amplifying women's voices throughout the EMS fellowship. Gender justice will be a central theme, with participants sharing experiences from their local contexts and examining how faith communities can respond more effectively to violence, discrimination and exclusion.

The IWN will also visit a “Thuthuzela Care Centre” at Bremer Hospital in Cape Town – a dedicated facility established within hospitals in South Africa to provide medical and related support to victims of gender-based violence. The visit will provide opportunities to learn from local experience in prevention, healing and advocacy.

Conference: From Reflection to Action

The meeting will be followed by a conference from 23 to 25 October under the theme From Reflection to Action: Strengthening MCSA's Response to Gender-Based Violence and Femicide.

The conference will bring together church leaders, practitioners, activists and members of the International Women's Network to exchange experiences, identify challenges and develop practical recommendations for strengthening faith-based responses to GBVF.

The programme includes keynote presentations, updates on the MCSA Anti-GBVF Programme, international perspectives from IWN members, commission discussions, panel conversations, and a concluding worship service and commitment ceremony.

A Shared Commitment to Justice and Dignity

“Both events reflect a shared conviction that churches have an imperative to address gender-based violence and femicide while promoting gender justice,” says Rev. Eleanor McCormick, Head of Department Programmes and Networks at EMS. “We are seeing our member churches challenge harmful attitudes, support survivors and foster cultures of respect, dignity and equality through advocacy, education, pastoral care and community engagement – we need and want to see this expanded and strengthened in our fellowship.”

Through these gatherings, EMS reaffirms its commitment to gender justice and the empowerment of women within church and society. By bringing together church leaders, activists and women's networks from diverse contexts, the organisation seeks to strengthen international collaboration and inspire initiatives that continue well beyond the conference itself.

The Cape Town meetings aim to turn reflection into action by equipping participants to advance gender justice, support survivors of violence and build communities in which all people can live with dignity, safety and hope.

The EMS International Women’s Network connects women across continents, empowering them to support one another and stand together against violence. If you would like to support this work, we would be grateful for your donation.