Isabel Apawo Phiri

Isabel Apawo Phiri is a Malawian theologian known for her work in gender justice, HIV/AIDS and African theology. She is a Professor of African Theology and Dean of the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She has been a Deputy Secretary for the World Council of Churches since 2012. She was moderator of the World Council of Churches' Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation, and Associate General Secretary for Public Witness and Diakonia by the World Council of Churches. She was the founder of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians in Malawi. Phiri is an author, journal editor, theologian and advocate for gender and social justice.

Early life and education Phiri, a Chewa person, was born in Malawi and brought up in the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. a Master's in Religious Education from the University of Lancaster in England and a PhD from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. It was in South Africa that she was first exposed to feminist theology and liberation theology.

Personal life Phiri lives in Geneva, where she is an elder in the Church of Scotland. They co-authored a 2017 paper entitled "HIV and AIDS, Gender Violence and Masculinities: A Case of South Africa" which examined a curriculum used by church going couples, finding there had been an increase in communication about sexuality and a decrease in gender based violence, but confirming a need to re-examine the theology of marriage in African churches. They have three children.

Career Phiri is a teacher by profession. She participated in the convocation of the Circle in 1989 and established the Circle in Malawi in 1993, with its first conference held at her home in Chirunga in 1994. for speaking about such a taboo topic. She also served as moderator of the World Council of Churches' Commission on Education and Ecumenical Formation. Her role focuses on issues including racism, sexuality, climate change and justice.

In December 2017, Phiri was detained by Israeli authorities at Ben Gurion Airport for eight hours and refused entry to Israel for an ecumenical meeting in Jerusalem. although it was later said it was because the WCC supported Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel, although Phiri was the only one of four WCC officials refused entry. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of The World Council of Churches, released a statement calling it an "unprecedented move" and saying "The WCC deeply regrets the Israeli antagonism against the WCC's initiatives for peace with justice for both Palestinians and Israelis."

In 2018, Phiri was featured in an exhibition called "Faith in Gender Justice" at the Scottish Parliament, with a photograph and her quote: "Prophetic theology has turned me into an advocate for gender justice." In 2020 and 2021, Phiri has been involved in the WCC's publications on responding to the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and advocacy for vaccine equity.

Awards and honours 1995: "Woman of the Year", Nation Newspaper for bringing gender justice into public debate in Malawi 1998: Honorable mention, Noma Award for Publishing in Africa for Women, Presbyterianism and Patriarchy

Selected publications Books

Journal articles