In contrast to youth and the disabled, the number of women who participated in the WCC Assembly at Porto Alegre increased. There were over a hundred women delegates; 63 were elected onto the Central Committee. “Ecofeminism” and “ecojustice”: these are the categories, according to Kobia, in which the contributions that women can make to the ecumenical movement can best be regrouped. “Christian women he said can make the difference in such sectors as the economy, sustainable development and justice”. In particular, women can heighten awareness “about the violence committed against the Earth. Destroying the environment, failing to protect resources like water, are attacks on life. We must understand what we need to do, and the Church has a need for the creative contribution of women”. Women, for their part, asked for “greater support by the Churches”, in particular as far as African women are concerned. “If our contribution to ecumenism is important said one of them the men within the ecclesial structures do not support it”. “Our potential is not sufficiently recognized and turned to account” said another. “Power sharing is not easily accepted – admitted Kobia -. These questions must be raised outside the Assembly and on a far wider front”.
