During the month of October, Rome hosted the first Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 4-29, 2023), an unprecedented event in the history of the Church. For about a month, 464 participants from every corner of the globe, including 364 members, among them 54 women, lay and religious, with voting rights, gathered to understand, reflect, and discuss the future of the Church.

At the same time, the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO), the International Forum Catholic Action (IFCA), and the Italian Catholic Action organised two reflection and prayer meetings on October 18 and 26, involving men and women actively participating in the Synodal Assembly, under the title "Walking with the Synod."

Forward-looking perspective from the experience of participants in the Synodal Assembly. 

Meeting with some of the participants in the Assembly. 

At this important moment in the life of the Church, we invite you to join us for a reflection meeting on Thursday, 26 October with women and men who are actively participating in the Synodal Assembly.

Organised by the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO), the International Forum of Catholic Action (IFCA) and the Italian Catholic Action (ACI).

ZOOM LINK to participate

Simultaneous translation ENG-ESP-FRA-ITA. 

Witnesses and protagonists of change: World Women’s Observatory 

3 Webinars in preparation for the Assembly, from the perspective of women of the Synod

The upcoming Assembly of the Synod of Bishops promises to be an extraordinary event involving 85 women, 54 of whom will have the right to vote. This scenario of inclusiveness represents a significant step towards full collaboration between women and men within the Church.

As part of its ongoing Synodality and Women project, the World Women's Observatory (WWO) of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO), will organise on September 13th and 14th a cycle of three preparatory webinars entitled "Let Us Prepare for the Assembly in Dialogue with the Women of the Synod."

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, recently concluded the second workshop organised by the World Women's Observatory (WWO), aptly titled “African Network against Violence and Discrimination of Women. First steps”. 

The four-day event, scheduled from July 3rd to July 6th, 2023, with the participation of 26 lay organisations, 27 congregations and 5 religious conferences representing 22 countries, fulfilled expectations of being a key meeting for empowering women and initiating a positive change. During this transformative event, the Observatory presented the initial results of its activities in Africa and shed light on existing best practices.

"Women's Voices: Global Perspectives”

to celebrate International Women's Day -

8 March 2023.

The International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking takes place every year on February 8th, the day in which we celebrate the liturgical memory of St. Bakhita, the Sudanese nun who as a child had the dramatic experience of being kidnapped and enslaved and became the universal symbol of the Church's commitment against trafficking.

It is promoted by the International Unions of Superiors and Superiors General. The coordination of the network of partners and adherents is entrusted to Talitha Kum, the international network founded by the UISG and committed against trafficking in persons.

“Journeying in dignity” is the theme of the 9^th Edition of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, celebrated on the 8^th of February 2023.