Gender equality from the perspective of young people

A talk from the perspective of Lumbani Wellani, the Malawian youth coordinator (ELCM)

The presentation by Lumbani Wellani, the youth coordinator of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi (ELCM), addresses the topic of gender justice and the importance of equality from a social, youth and Christian perspective.

In his presentation, Lumbani Wellani explains that equality means that all genders possess the same dignity, the same value and the same fundamental rights. Drawing on social learning theory, he demonstrates that people – particularly young people – learn through observation, role models, the media and social experiences. This gives rise to ideas about what is considered ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’. Lumbani Wellani thus places particular responsibility on society and the parents of the younger generation: they should be good role models.

Gender justice is understood as more than mere equality on paper: it is about recognising and changing discriminatory structures, power relations and social norms. The presentation emphasises that true justice also requires changes in institutions and cultures, for example regarding decision-making power, the distribution of resources and how harassment is addressed.

A key reference is Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus”, which is the motto of the 2026 Gender Summer Academy. It follows from this that equality is not only a social goal but also a spiritual responsibility. Young people are called upon to play an active part in shaping a more just world through their behaviour and values.