The International Anglican Women’s Network (IAWN) Steering Group has issued a statement in advance of International Women’s Day (IWD) tomorrow (Friday 8 March), welcoming its theme of gender-balance. “Gender balance is essential for all communities to thrive”, they say. “The Anglican Communion is no exception.” The subtitle for this year’s IWD celebration is #BalanceforBetter, and has been designed to promote gender balance across all of life, including boardrooms, government, media, employment, wealth distribution, and sports coverage.

“This includes promoting gender justice and equality, and the participation of women in building communities of justice and peace throughout the Anglican Communion”, the IAWN Steering Group statement said. “These are among the priorities of the International Anglican Women’s Network. Collectively we can all play a part in bringing gender balance into our church communities.

“International Women’s Day on 8 March is a global day when the call for action is raised across all nations. It is a reminder and an invitation for all of us within the Anglican Communion to acknowledge and celebrate women’s contributions, advocate strongly for gender balance in places of leadership in our churches – at the altar and in all other aspects of worship, praying, interpreting Scripture, and within all levels of decision-making.”

The statement continues: “The theme for the meeting of the international Anglican Consultative Council in May this year (ACC-17) is ‘God’s Church for God’s People: walking, listening and witnessing’. Let’s make that theme come alive as we strive to work together for a better balance to benefit all God’s people.”