Women are “Agents of innovation” and their experience and talents may be crucial in the processes of change. Yet women still suffer the consequences of a system that neither guarantees them equality with men, nor sufficiently recognizes and enhances their role. The need to give women a greater say was discussed at a conference held in Volos, in Greece, from 8 to 13 June. Held on the initiative of the Conference of Christian Churches (Cec), in collaboration with the Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women (Efecw), the meeting was attended by 35 women from 19 European countries. One of the aims of the conference was to review the situation of women in Europe in the various field of social and ecclesial life. The participants were thus able to share experiences of life and work in society and in the Churches. What emerged from this review is a situation of “inequity” in terms of work, pay, education and childcare. “In many European countries it was pointed out there are still no laws that guarantee parity of rights between men and women and what is said on this point in the EU Constitution is insufficient”. Part of the debate was also dedicated to the question of women’s ordination, but this the women participants were urged “must not become a problem for the progress of ecumenical dialogue”.
