By ACNS staff

Not enough women are participating in decisions made by churches at all levels according to the Anglican Communion Office's Women's Desk Officer.

In an interview in the latest Anglican World magazine the Revd Terrie Robinson said that women's ministry, both lay and ordained, is still not lifted up and blessed by the church in the way it could be.

"What impresses me about women in all parts of the Communion is that they often go into places where others don't want to go," she said. "But sadly their work is often left at the fringes of Church life."

Mrs Robinson gave examples of women leaders across the Anglican Communion who run programmes for women who are destitute, in prison, or escaping domestic violence; and others who run successful businesses with women’s economic empowerment as a core purpose.

"However, there still aren't enough women participating in our decision-making processes in the Communion from parish level right through to our international Instruments of Communion."

Mrs Robinson, who is also the ACO's International Networks' Co-ordinator, acknowledges that there has been progress but, she said, "More is needed".

Mrs Robinson remains hopeful: "The Anglican Communion is full of treasure and it just needs to be empowered, enabled, listened to and allowed to speak into the leadership of the Church."

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