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Planning Women's Programmes

Planning involves assessment of previous programmes (including what were or were not implemented and why), looking at present needs, and formulating suggestions or recommendations for further action. Following are excerpts from the planning session which included a review and study of the HRD' 88 documents and workshop report pertaining to SCM women's needs and difficulties.

*Mention was made of the fact that many national movements (SCM) are still unable to send women to WSCF A-P programmes. This is attributed to the fact that even the national movements are not freed from the clutches of patriarchy.

*Where there are women's desks in some national movements, the fact was pointed out that most of the content of the women's programmes has not really touched women's issues and struggles.

*In terms of leadership opportunities, it was also pointed out that women continue to have a small share.

The following were some of the recommendations made at the plenary session of the Workshop:

1. That each country's national SCM form a special group or core group of women (e.g. Women's Group Committee) to address the needs of women and develop women's programme.

2. Publish books or translate papers/articles on women in the respective languages of the national SCMs.

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3. Start the process of networking by collecting names of people to work with immediately in the local chapters in forming women's groups.

4. Look to SCM senior friends and former HRD participants and other participants in WSCF regional women's meetings.

5. Participants of this "Women Doing Theology Workshop" to report on this programme to their respective national movements.

6. That the Regional Women's Committee, in collaboration with the regional staff, prepare and send a questionnaire to the national movements on the development of women's programme. Responses to such a questionnaire will be evaluated and used as the basis for further strategies for women's programme building.

7. Each woman participant of this "Women Doing Theology Workshop" to help conscientize SCM men and women in understanding that patriarchy is the root of our problems and that both women and men are oppressed by it. To deal with this problem, we can begin new ways of doing theology and making a new spirituality which is based on equality and partnership of women and men.