About Us
Who We Are
Introduction
The Commission for Women (CW), was established at the national level by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) on 16 February 2008, to work for the welfare of women in all the Catholic dioceses of the Latin Rite in India. It is headed by a team consisting of a Bishop Chairperson, two member Bishops and a National Executive Secretary. The Commission operates from the office of the National Executive Secretary. It has its own logo, depicting its vision, mission and core values. The Regional/Diocesan Commissions for Women may adapt it with the prior approval of the National Commission.
Vision & Mission
Vision
Spiritually Nourished, Liberated and Empowered Women in society where women and men enjoy equal rights and equal opportunities accepting, respecting and celebrating the natural and divine origin of differences without letting them cause divisions.
Mission
To accompany women through faith-based formation and empowerment, enabling them to break free from psychological inferiority, patriarchal oppression, and restrictive cultural conditioning, and to grow as confident, economically self-sufficient and responsible agents oftransformation in the Church and society.
Goals
01
To build up a capacitated and sustainable National Commission for Women established and grounded at the national, regional, diocesan, and parish levels, functioning effectively in a synodal way, through a collective leadership of women.
02
To foster an increasing synodal spirit in the Church by working for a greater and more effective involvement, initiative and leadership of women in the spiritual, pastoral and administrative life of the Church.
03
To promote the empowerment of women, in the family and society, supporting women in their educational, social, political and economic development
Core Value
Dignity of Women
We stand for the inherent dignity of every woman, emphasizing the importance of treating women with respect, equality and justice in all spheres of life.
Justice and Equality
Combating gender-based violence, discrimination, and inequality, and advocating for equal rights and opportunities for women in the family, the Church and in society.
Solidarity
Mutual support and collaboration in their personal and professional journeys.
Leadership
Participation in the decision-making processes, and in various ministries within the Church and society so as to step into roles that foster personal, spiritual, emotional, professional and social transformation.
These core values reflect the Commission's efforts to uplift women, ensure their active participation in all aspects of life, and foster a more just and inclusive society in line with Church teachings.
Focus Group
The CCBI Commission for Women has in focus women of Indian nationality who adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church and meet the following criteria:
- Must be a practicing Catholic
- Must be biologically female
- Must be 18 years of age or above
- Must be an active member of her parish women's cell
- Must be sound of mind
The Regional Commission for Women
The Regional Commission for Women core team comprises:
- The Regional Chairperson Bishop of the Commission for Women
- Regional Executive Secretary lay woman or religious sister appointed by the Chairperson bishop in consultation with the Regional Bishops Council. The Tenure of the Regional Executive Secretary shall be as per the statutes of the Regional Bishops Council.
The Regional Executive Committee comprises:
- The Regional Chairperson Bishop
- The Regional Executive Secretary
- Diocesan Executive Secretaries of the relevant region, appointed by the diocesan local ordinary
for a term of three years.
The office bearers: The Treasurer and the Editor shall be selected by the Regional Executive Secretary, and their term of office shall run concurrently with the term of the National Executive Secretary.
The Regional Executive Committee shall meet at least once a year or as deemed necessary by the Chairperson or the Regional Executive Secretary. The Chairperson Bishop or the Regional Secretary shall preside over the meetings of the Regional Executive Committee.
Roles & Responsibilities
Regional Executive Secretary
The Regional Executive Secretary shall be in overall charge of the regional office of the Commission for Women. She serves as a link between the National office, Regional Office and Diocesan Office. She shall be the day-to-day chief functionary of the Regional Commission for Women. Along with the Diocesan Secretaries, she shall animate and co-ordinate the implementation of the decisions of the National Commission for Women, keeping in mind the actual needs of the Region. She is responsible for the expansion of the Commission for Women in every diocese of the region, with a view of promoting committed women leaders for the Church and society.
After due consultation with the Regional Chairperson, the Regional Executive Secretary along with the Regional Editor shall prepare the agenda of the Regional Commission meetings, record the minutes, prepare and finalize the reports of the regional office and present them during Regional Bishops’ Councils’ yearly meetings. They shall maintain all relevant documentation necessary to realize the aims and objectives of Regional Commission for Women. Along with Regional Treasurer She maintains the budget, the audited statements of accounts of the Regional Commission for Women. She makes efforts to raise the necessary funds for the regional programs.
The Regional Executive Secretary is responsible for organizing at least one regional training session each year and, if possible and necessary, additional sessions as well. It is her duty to ensure that women from the entire region take an active part in the deliberations and activities of their respective dioceses. She shall provide the Diocesan Secretaries with regular and resourceful information on socio-economic development and spiritual renewal programmes.
Treasurer
The Treasurer of the Regional Commission for Women shall maintain accurate records of the annual contributions received from the dioceses and of all expenditures incurred through charitable works undertaken for the benefit of the needy. She shall assist the Regional Executive Secretary in the preparation of the annual budget of the Regional Commission for Women to present the same during regional meetings.
Regional Editor
The Regional Editor of the Commission for Women shall collect reports on activities and new initiatives undertaken for the welfare of women and submit them to the Regional Secretary for documentation. She shall also be responsible for publishing an annual newsletter highlighting the activities undertaken and the implementation of the pastoral plan.
General Body Meeting of the Commission for Women
The Commission for Women at the regional, diocesan, deanery, and parish women cell levels shall also conduct General Body Meetings annually, at a convenient time suitable to the respective level, and at a venue decided by the concerned Executive Committee.