Weekly devotion: Empowering women in rural Egypt
The Soteria project, Egypt
Rooftops in Sarakna village, one of the project locations
Women in rural communities in Egypt can face limitations due to traditional attitudes towards gender roles. They have vast potential to become more politically and economically active in Egypt’s rural communities, but have often been denied the skills needed to create change.
The Soteria project, based at the Anafora Institute and supported by Embrace, offers vocational and leadership training that enables women to start their own businesses and build their independence. Soteria also offers a healing space for women who have experienced physical or psychological abuse. The project invites the women to see that God loves them and desires a world where they live in freedom, safety and equality. Hearing that they are valuable, and not inferior to men, enables participants to identify their strengths and develop ambitions for the future.
Bible reading
‘Soon afterward he [Jesus] went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.’
Luke 8: 1-3
Thought
These Bible verses tell us that Jesus had welcomed, travelled with, and been supported by women from early in his ministry. Jesus has a high view of women, which would have been counter-cultural during the time in which he lived. In the same way, the Soteria project challenges negative gender stereotypes. It provides women with the opportunities to create fulfilling lives with greater independence.
Ask yourself: Jesus wasn’t afraid to risk his reputation by going against cultural norms and traditions. How does this challenge you?
Prayer
Loving God,
We pray for the work of the Soteria project and we thank you for the women it is supporting and lifting up. May you bless these women as they seek to build their businesses, especially in a challenging economic environment.
We pray for the women’s families and wider communities. We especially pray that daughters and girls in those communities would be inspired and empowered to continue their education and pursue their dreams.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
You may also be interested in:
The Soteria Project: Promoting gender equality in Egypt
In the heart of the Egyptian desert there’s a Christian retreat centre where women can go to explore their identity, heal from trauma, and find purpose…
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