Peer reviewedThe aim of this article is to present a critical analysis of how
far the Circle of African Women Theologians have addressed
the three initial challenges that face African women who are
receiving theological education in African theological institutions
and to identify new problems. The problem statement of
this article is as follows: After nineteen years of the Circle’s
existence, the African women theologians who constitute the
Circle still face the challenges of: self-definition, fewer female
student enrolments in theology, poorly represented at academic
institutions (few women on staff), resistance to the engendering
of the theological curriculum, and lack of greater collaboration
with African male theologians in research and publication. The
methodology of the article is based on conceptual analysis
which, in turn, is based on my personal experiences as a former
coordinator of the Circle. I also draw on case studies from
Circle partnerships from 2002–2007, and my personal journey
in theological education over 24 years in five southern African
academic institutions. In conclusion, the article argues that:
“After nineteen years of the Circle’s existence, African women
theologians have gained recognition in the theological arena at
both a local and global level. The Circle has achieved its
objective of increasing the number of theological publications
for the academic use of theological institutions in Africa; it is
also participating in theological debates in the northern
hemisphere through its partnership of equals with theological
institutions. Its ethos of being inclusive in: (1) its definition of
African women theologians; (2) its promotion of an increased
enrolment of female students and employment of more female
staff; (3) its contribution to the process of engendering the
theological curriculum in Africa; and (4) its overt efforts to
promote collaboration with African male theologians has gone
Major challenges for African women theologians …
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a long way to show that the Circle is built firmly on the
concept of community.”Research Institute for Theology and Religio
