Gender equality: A video interview with Lilana Kasper

Gabriele De Bona spoke with the director of the Lutheran Community in Southern Africa (LUCSA) about international theology and gender justice as part of the Gender Summer Academy.

What new ideas emerge when people from different continents and churches learn together? In this video interview, Lilana Kapser talks about her experiences at the International Gender Summer Academy in Lilongwe, Malawi. She discusses international exchange, new approaches to theological education and the importance of contextual Bible interpretation. She was particularly impressed by workshops that combine academic research with theological reflection, as well as Bible study sessions that explore familiar texts from new cultural perspectives.

Empowering women in the Church

A central theme of the conversation is the role of women in the Church. Lilana Kapser describes how important it is to have visible female theologians and pastors as role models – particularly in countries where women in the ministry are still rare. She explains the obstacles women face on their path to church ministry and why international encounters can encourage young women to choose a career in theology and church leadership roles.

Gender equality as a shared mission

As programme manager at LUCSA (Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa), Lilana Kapser also provides insights into the work being done to promote gender justice within the member churches of southern Africa. She reports on studies, educational programmes and training courses on violence prevention, as well as on efforts to foster a culture of respectful coexistence. The interview highlights how international partnerships, theological dialogue and shared learning can help make churches more equitable, diverse and sustainable.