2025 AFRICA REGIONAL FAITH AND GENDER JUSTICE CONFERENCE

September 17-19, 2025 | St. Paul’s University, Nairobi, Kenya

Theme: Mutuality in God, a Faith Response for Peace & Gender Reconciliation

The Institute for Faith and Gender Empowerment (IFAGE) is thrilled to announce its 2025 Faith & Gender Justice Conference that will be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya in partnership with St. Paul’s University and Side By Side Global Movement for Gender Justice, from September 17-19, 2025. This marks the 5th historic Pan African Faith and Gender Justice conference regionally hosted by IFAGE in Africa to provide safe spaces for key decision makers for continued dialogue and conversations regarding gender justice issues.

How to Register

17-19th September 2025
St Paul’s University | Limuru, Kenya

Early Bird registration is $100 and includes access to all sessions, plus complimentary lunch and refreshments for all three days.

*Early bird registration ends July 10, 2025. Regular registration price is $120.

Click to Register!

Pay through our secure payment form

Student Registration

What to Expect at 2025IFAGE Conference

A Powerful Gathering of 250 delegates from different countries, including faith actors, women leaders, civil society leaders, youth, media, philanthropy, and the private sector.

The program will feature: Pre-conferences, side events, exhibitions, and plenary sessions.

Foster a Supportive and Safe Environment for Dialogue

Create a conducive space for faith leaders and gender practitioners to engage in open, honest dialogue about the intersections of faith and gender, focusing on the role of religious teachings in perpetuating or challenging gender-based violence and domestic abuse.

Equip and Empower Faith Actors as Change Agents

Provide faith leaders with accurate and contextual texts and theological knowledge to reinterpret scriptures/sacred text in ways that promote healing, reconciliation, and gender justice.

Encourage Participation in the Global Faith Movement for Gender Justice

Motivate and support faith leaders to collaborate with the Side by Side chapters at national, regional levels to achieve advocacy actions to increase women’s participation in economic developments.

Foster Collaborations and Partnerships

Encourage and facilitate partnerships among faith actors, civil society groups, gender practitioners, researchers, and international development organizations to collaboratively work towards gender justice and the eradication of gender-based violence.

We estimate attendance from over 200 delegates from across Africa and beyond, including key faith actors, gender practitioners, civil society groups, and other international development partners. Register now to join them!

Keynote Speakers

Bishop Rose Okeno

The Rt. Revd. Rose Nereya Ayiemba Okeno has her BTh from KEMU University, and was consecrated and enthroned as the Fourth Bishop of the ACK Diocese of Butere in 2021. The service was presided over by The Most Rev. Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit, the Archbishop of Kenya & Bishop of All Saints’ Cathedral Diocese together with other Provincial Bishops. With her consecration, Bishop Rose made history by becoming the first woman to be elected diocesan Bishop in the Anglican Church of Kenya. This achievement, she attributes to God, and takes with humility.
Bishop Rose is focused on making lasting changes on matters affecting women in Kenya and beyond. Besides her work on the prevention of gender-based violence, she is challenging cultural practices that hold women back from taking leadership positions. Her leadership priorities include coaching and mentoring women on financial innovation, single parenthood, and how to balance daily socio- economic challenges with their call to serve the church.

Rt Rev Joseph Otieno Wasonga

The Rt Rev Joseph Otieno Wasonga is Bishop Emeritus of the Anglican diocese of Maseno West. He attended Episcopal Divinity school, attaining M.Div, and Nashotah House Theological Seminary attaining an MTS in Christian ethics. He served as a Bishop for 28 years with interest in Ecumenism, being chair of NCCK for six years, facilitating community heath programs, and became chair of Christian Health Asociation of Kenya and mission for essential drugs and supplies. He now manages the trustee Bishop Wasonga foundation and is a board member of IFAGE, focusing on gender inclusivity and empowering vulnerable youth and the elderly.

Bishop Emily Onyango

Rt. Rev. Dr. Emily Onyango is the Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bondo, in the Anglican Church in Kenya. She has a PhD from the University of Wales Specializing in History. A senior lecturer at St. Paul’s University specializing in Ecclesiastical studies and Gender studies. The Executive Director of CAWLRA (Centre for Anglican Women Leadership Training and Research in Africa), a Centre founded by the six Anglican Women Bishops in Africa as a spring board for their work in the continent, and a Commissioner with the Anglican communion Science commission, which serves as a bridge between the Church and Scientific developments and contribute to addressing the pressing ethical, social and environmental challenges of our time. The current areas of research include the challenges of Gender based violence and Femicide in Kenya and the response of the Church. Secondly, the impact of climate change in Africa specifically focusing on how this leads to conflict, affect food security and lead to poverty in Africa.

Prof. Esther Mombo

Prof Esther Mombo is a theological educator serving at the School of Theology at St. Paul’s University in Limuru Kenya. She is a gender activist advocating for inclusive Theological education for the people of God. Esther works Ecumenically and has served as co-Moderator of the World Council of Churches’ Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation. In 2024, she was part of the organizing team of for the first women bishops conference, naming them the Africa Six. Esther is also a Member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. Her recent co-edited include Queen of Sheba: East and Central African Women’s Theologies of Liberation, Broken Hearts and Bruised Bodies: Powerful Stories of the Life and Faith of Women in the Reformed Church of East Africa.

Dr. Nontando Adebe

Dr. Nontando is a Roman Catholic woman theologian and is currently International Coordinator of Side-by-Side Interfaith movement for gender justice. She is member of several organizations focused on theology/faith and gender justice including The Circle for Concerned African Women Theologians, Catholic Women Council/Speak and Sophia Institute. Her passion for faith and gender justice to media through weekly radio program with Radio Veritas, Catholic Radio Station in South Africa.

Wangari Ngunjiri

Wangari, a Pan-African feminist and devout yogi, leads the grantmaking and community building work for Kenya and Uganda partners at the Segal Family Foundation. She is an adamant believer in shifting the power dynamic status quo in philanthropy through humanising conversation, and championing for increased collaboration to dispel gatekeeping prevalent within the sector. She holds a masters in Development Studies from the Nelson Mandela University, with a research focus rooted in feminist economic theory.

Emily Nielsen Jones

Emily is a donor-activist engaged in promoting human equality, justice, and peace around the world. She is particularly passionate and engaged in the nexus of faith, gender, and development and working to mobilize our faith traditions to more fully and unambiguously embrace gender equality. She is the founding partner and trustee of the Imago Dei Fund and the co-author/convener of a project called The Girl Child & Her Long Walk to Freedom, which invites participants to better understand the historic and religious roots of patriarchal oppression that persist in our world today and “put faith to work through love” to transform harmful gender norms.

Dr. Mimi Hadad

Dr. Mimi Haddad serves as president and CEO of CBE International. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Summa Cum Laude). She earned a PhD in Historical Theology from the University of Durham, England. Haddad received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University. An adjunct associate professor of historical theology, Haddad has taught at Fuller Theological Seminary, Bethel University, Olivet University and for institutes and organizations worldwide. She was a founding member of the Evangelicals and Women Study Section at the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) and Evangelicals for Justice.

Mandy Marshall

Mandy Marshall is the Director for Gender Justice at the Anglican Alliance and Anglican Communion. Mandy is the link Director for the global Anglican Safe Church Commission, the International Anglican Women’s Network and the International Anglican Family Network. She is a trustee of two charities: the Li-Tim Oi Foundation, and Paz y Ezperanza. Before joining the Anglican Alliance and Anglican Communion, Mandy co-founded and Co-Directed Restored, an international Christian alliance to transform relationships and end violence against women.
Mandy travels globally teaching, speaking and building capacity on gender justice, equality and preventing and ending gender-based violence from a Christian faith perspective as well as safeguarding in churches.

Rev. Domnic Misolo

Domnic is an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Kenya, Bondo diocese, and a male champion for gender justice. He is the founder/executive director of Institute for Faith and Gender Empowerment (IFAGE), a faith-based non-profit organization that promotes Equality and Justice for women and men in the church and society. Domnic is a graduate from St. Paul’s University with degree in theology, and an M.A. student. He is the co-author of the Girl Child & Her Long Walk to Freedom, and co-chair of the Side-By-Side Movement Interfaith Movement for Gender Justice.

Rev. Dr. Julius Kithinji

The Rev. Dr. Julius Kithinji is a senior Lecturer and Dean of the School of Theology at St. Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya. He is a council member at the Presbyterian University of East Africa where he chairs the Academics and Statues committee. Dr. Kithinji is an expert in biblical studies and specializes in the New Testament. His interests in interpretating the Bible from a postcolonial perspective counts for many of his publications and supervision of students at masters and doctoral levels. He is an ordained minister serving with the Methodist Church in Kenya.

Prof. Dr Lazare Sebitereko Rukundwa

Prof. Dr. Lazare Sebitereko Rukundwa is married and a parent of seven children. He holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Pretoria (2006) and is a Humphrey Fellow at Penn State and George Mason Universities. He has contributed to publications and conferences in the fields of theology, politics, community health, and anthropology.

Prof. Dr. Rukundwa serves as the President and Rector of Eben-Ezer University of Minembwe in the DRC and is a professor of theology, conflict management, and community development. He is also the co-founder of Eben-Ezer Ministry International, Eben-Ezer University of Minembwe, Floresta Burundi, Burundi American International Academy, and Aspire for Humanity Initiative, USA, among others.

Purity Ashkoe

Purity Ashkoe is a gender equality advocate, and a project management specialist with over four years of experience in program development, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge management. She has worked extensively in gender justice, violence prevention, and social inclusion, leading initiatives that empower communities and foster sustainable
change. Currently, she serves as a Gender Champion at World Relief International-Kenya, where she drives strategies to promote gender equity and safeguard vulnerable populations. Purity is also the founder of AlignEQ Consulting, a firm dedicated to organizational development and gender-responsive systems strengthening. She is passionate about faith-based approaches to gender justice, youth empowerment, and the intersection of technology and gender based violence prevention.

Adelphine Angemito

I’m a woman living in Eastern Congo, committed to empowering not just myself, but also those around me. I strive to make a meaningful impact by working with the Congo Initiative at the Université Chrétienne Bilingue du Congo.
I co-founded Women’s Voices to help young women find their strength and confidence. One of my significant accomplishments includes managing a four-year project titled “Empowering Women in Eastern Congo,” which successfully engaged over 3,000 women, enhancing their social and economic standing.
Alongside this, I’m designing Women’s Empowerment Box (WEB), a tailored coaching program aimed at helping women tap into their potential and take charge of their lives. I’m driven by the belief that every woman deserves the chance to thrive.

Magdalene Chikanya

Magdalene Chikanya serves as the Child Protection Coordinator at Freely in Hope Zambia. She holds a BA in Development Studies and has over 8 years of work experience in community development, program management, and child safeguarding. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for girls. In these co-creating spaces, survivors and advocates can thrive, champion their voices, and take up space in leadership and training faith leaders to prevent, recognize, and report sexual violence. She co-created the Butterfly Effect Curriculum, the Child Protection Curriculum for Faith Leaders, and the Super Girls Revolution Curriculum.
From Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, and the United States, Magdalene has worked in multiple countries and cultures to share her story as a survivor of sexual violence, changing the narrative and developing survivor-centered systems, structures, and solutions. From her own story of brokenness, she ignites hope and liberation.

Dr. Consoler Eliya

Dr. Consoler Eliya, commonly known as Mama Dr Consoler, is a Mama and Founder of the big family known as New Hope For Girls; girls rescued from various forms of violence. She has more than 15 years experience in the field of social sciences, and specifically in human rights. She is also herself a survivor of numerous violences. She is a full-time mama to her big family of over 60+ Children, 2 biological and other fostering children living with her and her husband Eliya as part of their family in Dar es salaam Tanzania.

Lady, Dr. Wangu Kanja

Lady, Dr. Wangu Kanja, OGW is the Founder/Executive Director of the Wangu Kanja Foundation (WKF) and a Human Rights Defender for the last 20 years.
Convenor of the Survivors of Sexual Violence in Kenya Network for the last 8 years.
Convenor of the Coalition against Sexual Violence in Kenya for the last 2 years.
A co-author at the University of Birmingham and University of Leicester.

Esther Mali Kitonga

I am Esther Mali Kitonga, and I am a fellow of the The Girl child And Her Long Walk to Freedom 2021-2022 cohort.
As an inspired change agent for the girl child and her long walk to freedom, I have had the privilege of working as a psychological counselor with Tumaini International Trust. This role has exposed me to different cultures across the regions where we sponsor children. As a bishop’s wife and convener of frequent interfaith clergy meetings, I have also found platforms to champion the female agenda.

The resistance has been intense, but by putting faith into action with discernment, I am being invited by various churches to hold interactive sessions with their women and girls on sensitive topics such as self-esteem and reproductive health. Seeing families release their daughters for half-day and full-day sessions gives me hope.

Jackline Odhiambo

Jackie Odhiambo is the Founder and Executive Director of Nyanam Widows Rising, a local non-profit in Kenya equipping widows to overcome stigma and lead positive community transformation. Since registration in 2019, Nyanam has grown 18-fold from 80 to 1435 widows. They implement holistic intervention – Voice of Change – to improve spiritual, social, mental and economic outcomes for widows and their children. Hundreds of widows gather for weekly meetings, providing them with a sense of community. Jackie has a Bachelors from Williams College in Massachusetts, an MSc is a Public Health from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the UK, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Public Health through a sandwich program between Maseno University in Kenya and University of California San Francisco. Her PhD research unpacks widowhood stigma and its health impacts.

Ulfat Hussein Masibo

Ulfat Hussein Masibo is a Kenyan Muslim feminist advocating for women’s and girls’ rights in Mombasa, Kenya. She holds degrees in Political Science and Law from the University of Nairobi and Moi University, respectively, and has specialized training in Gender and Islam from Roehampton University in London. With expertise in Sharia law and advocacy, she has focused her career on gender equality within Islamic contexts. She previously served as Assistant Programme Officer for Peace and Security at the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM).
Since 2016, Ulfat has been actively involved in advocacy work, championing women’s and girls’ rights. As the founding director of the Africa Muslim Women Action Network (AMWAN), established in 2019, she collaborates with Kenya’s Kadhis courts to reform family laws and improve access to justice, emphasizing capacity building for women, girls, and judicial officers. The organization also engages in environmental advocacy on food security and sustainability.
She is a Steering Group member of Side by Side, an interfaith gender justice movement, and serves as the Vice Chair of its Kenya Chapter.

Rev. Nathan McGuire

Nathan, a lifelong South Londoner, is the Pastor of New Park Road Baptist Church and a Violence Prevention Consultant with over 15 years of experience addressing domestic violence in both societal and church contexts. With degrees in Psychology and Theology, he began his career as a Domestic Violence Prevention Practitioner at London’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project, working with perpetrators and families to prevent abuse through education and intervention.
Currently, Nathan serves as a Trustee with Restored, equipping churches to respond to domestic violence and build safer communities. He also lectures at Spurgeon’s College on the intersection of faith, violence against women, and racial justice. Drawing on both his personal experience of witnessing domestic abuse as a child and his professional expertise, he is committed to helping churches and communities take a stand against violence against women and girls.
Outside of his work, Nathan enjoys photography, hiking, and camping, cherishing time spent exploring nature with his dog and loved ones.

Kazi Mghendi

Kazi is passionate about leadership development at all levels and working with communities to solve complex challenges including that of access to quality education, gender inequalities and injustices. Kazi’s work and dedication is inspired by her own journey and experience. Kazi supports the Imago Dei Fund’s Girl Child Long Walk Project as a Project Manager, advising and providing strategic guidance to the project as well as managing its Fellowship which supports faith inspired change agents globally that are working in the intersect of faith and gender. In 2019, Kazi founded Elimu Fanaka, a non-profit organization committed to working with public primary education in rural, underserved communities in Kenya through quality education access and systems change. Kazi leverages her experience to identify and support community-led solutions that address injustices caused by poverty and inequalities.

Rev. Dr Patrick Musembi

Rev. Dr Patrick Musembi is an ordained minister and educationist with over 25 years of experience in university teaching and curriculum design. He is the Director of the Daystar Institute for Leadership and Professional Development and chairs the Spiritual Nurture Committee at Daystar University, which guides the institution’s spiritual programs. He also serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for Christian Chapel, Kenya. He’s passionate about mentoring young pastors supporting them to strengthen their ministries and leadership. He is married to Ruth, and they have three adult children.

Jennifer Nantale

My name is Jennifer Nantale and I am a dedicated results-oriented leader specializing in leadership and organizational management. I am A GCLW fellow with a commitment towards promoting women and girls’ self-worth so that they are able to determine their own choices and influence social change for themselves and others. My work also revolves around protecting children, empowering survivors, and building stronger communities.

Janet Ngombalu

Janet Ngombalu is the Christian Aid Director for Kenya. Janet previously worked for the Eastern Africa Grain Council (EAGC) in Kenya, as the Regional Programs Coordinator and Deputy to the Executive Director. Janet previously worked for Practical Action, in the Climate Change and Energy and Water and Sanitation, where she co-authored the book on Confronting the Crisis in Urban Poverty, making Integrated Approaches work.
With over 20 years’ experience. Janet has worked across private and commercial sectors. She has worked at regional levels in both the private and public sectors. Her regional experience has exposed her to various resource mobilisation strategies and stakeholders within Kenya and beyond.

Vurayayi Pugeni

Vurayayi Pugeni is a strategic leader in international development, serving as the Area Director for Southern Central Africa and Nigeria at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). He provides strategic oversight for programs in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda, driving impact in gender equity, peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, education, health, food security, and climate change adaptation.
Pugeni is also the founder of SCORE Against Poverty, a non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing gender justice and community-led development.
He holds a Master’s degree in Disaster Management from the University of Free States in South Africa, an MBA, from the ALTIS graduate School of Sustainable Management, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, in Italy, a diploma in People Management from the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe, and certifications in Sphere Standards, Livestock in Emergency Guidelines, Positive Masculinity, and Biblical Equity.

Register Now!

17-19th September 2025
St Paul’s University | Limuru, Kenya

Early Bird registration is $100 and includes access to all sessions, plus complimentary lunch and refreshments for all three days.

*Early bird registration ends July 10, 2025. Regular registration price is $120.

Click to Register
Student Registration