The article looks at the role Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (the Circle) have played in the struggle to end or reduce the rate at which violence against women and girls occurs in West Africa by highlighting the contributions of older Circle women, especially the initiator of the Circle, Mercy Amba Oduyoye. The initiator of the Circle and other older Circle women have left a remarkable legacy that needs to continue by the current and future generations of the Circle. The background information examines the leadership and mentorship of Mercy Amba Oduyoye and the impact she has made in the lives of African women. The essay then looks at the types of violence that women face in West Africa with the specific contributions of Circle women in the struggle to end violence against women and girls. It then argues that Circle women have played very significant roles both in setting the pace and giving the platform for women activities to minimise gender-based violence against women and girls. Circle women have written and presented papers that have addressed many challenges including HIV and/or AIDS, Girl Child trafficking, Marriage of Minors, and almost all kinds of violence against women and girls. Currently, religious violence threatens the fabric of African nations causing insecurity and panic, women and girls being the most vulnerable. The challenge to the present and future Circle members is to contribute in significant ways towards religious harmony in Africa and beyond. The Circle acknowledges the leadership role of women and encourages them to spearhead the liberation of women as well as empower them to be able to aspire to get to the top or become independent. No one understands what someone else feels better than the person experiencing the ordeal. Women can better understand what they go through and also have the passion to strive towards liberation.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: In this article, the discipline of practical theology combines with elements of social science and Gender Studies, bringing out the Circle�s contribution towards the eradication of religious and cultural and gender violence against women and girls in Ghana and Africa.Keywords: Circle; Theology; gender-based violence; Mercy Amba Oduyoye; West Africa
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Peer review declarationThe publisher (AOSIS) endorses the South African 'National Scholarly Book Publishers Forum Best Practice for Peer Review of Scholarly Books'. The manuscript was subjected to rigorous two-step peer review prior to publication, with the identities of the reviewers not revealed to the author(s). The reviewers were independent of the publisher and/ or authors in question. The reviewers commented positively on the scholarly merits of the manuscript and recommended that the manuscript be published. Where the reviewers recommended revision and/or improvements to the manuscript, the authors responded adequately to such recommendations. benefited from various contributions of its members over the years, both in kind and cash. For this, the authors are truly grateful to our Circle member, Musimbi Kanyoro, who has supported various fund-raising opportunities and also made substantial personal contributions. At the time of the All Africa 5th Circle Conference in Botswana (July 2019), Musimbi was wrapping up her responsibilities as the President and CEO of the Global Fund for Women, and therefore, was unable to attend the conference in person. Keeping her commitment as one of the founders of the Circle, she decided to take a step of faith and contributed to the Circle 30th anniversary celebration through a significant amount of money which included her end of service bonus and some funds raised through the Global Fund for Women. For this, the authors are grateful to Musimbi Kanyoro and to the Global Fund for Women. They are also grateful to the University of Botswana, Global Challenges Research Fund, Kerk in Actie, Holland and the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy (WCC-EHAIA) for their contributions towards the conference. Special thanks are extended to the University of Pretoria Department of Theology and Religion for the inclusion of this volume in the research project of Yolanda Dreyer titled: 'Gender Studies and Practical Theological Theory Formation'. The authors especially thank the Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Religion for the seed funding and Professor Andries G. van Aarde, Commissioning Editor AOSIS Books, for facilitating this process.The authors are also grateful to the Botswana Circle Chapter for successfully organising and hosting a splendid conference. Special thanks are also extended to Musa W. Dube for the important role played in conceptualising the conference theme. The authors thank Johanna Stiebert and Katie Edwards for their contributions and are grateful to all the contributors and peer reviewers who made this project a success by devoting their time and expertise. Last, but not least, the authors thank AOSIS Book Publishers for the publication of the volume.
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