What has happened in the Symposium?

ParkStation

The purpose of the first Symposium for Women, held simultaneously in South Africa and Brazil on Sunday 24 March 2013, was to inspire women to see themselves as precious, beautiful, important and valuable and to encourage them to leave their destructive and damaging history in the past and change their present and future through a new mindset which believes in, appreciates and loves themselves.

Speaking to 2 500 women at the Cenacle of Faith in Johannesburg and 2 500 others through live-streaming in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Rustenburg, guest presenters said women need to think differently about themselves, realise their value and the important role they play in families and society, give wings to their dreams and write a new chapter in their lives.

Presenters

Organised by Women in Action and Godllywood, guest speakers shared their life experiences and how they overcame negative influences, learned how to value themselves, live fulfilled lives and achieve their potential.

Marcia Paulo, columnist, trauma counsellor and head of Godllywood in the Western Cape, said that Eve was the culmination of God’s creation. She was created from Adam’s hip to live side by side with him and be his helper and companion. As we know, she was influenced by satan and subsequently influenced Adam. Women still have the power to influence men for good or bad and need to choose whether they wish to be wise or evil women.

When women understand what is influencing them, whether it is peer pressure, unrealistic media perceptions or cultural and societal norms, they can make wise choices and ensure that the correct positive influences shape their lives so that they can influence others for good.

Rustemburg

Pinky Dada, cancer and trauma counselor and head of Godllywood in the Eastern Cape spoke about submission explaining that women are not meant to be inferior or enslaved, but in order for communities to be ordered and in harmony, someone needs to be in a position of authority. Men in authority should not abuse this position by becoming controllers or dictators.

Women have been created to be gentle, loving and caring but as they compete in the workplace, there is a tendency to become competitive. Marcia Pires, head of Godllywood in South Africa and founder of Women in Action, said women do not need to be like men. They can do everything men can achieve and do it in high heels not loosing grace that is proper to women!

Sharing her testimony she said: “Many of us have suffered rejection which makes us feel worthless. We need to accept that we are precious and valued by God. Women have great inner strength and the ability to share and resolve problems through communication. They play important roles in supporting husbands and raising children. In the workplace they play increasingly valuable roles, but this often causes stress as they have to balance many demands and commitments. We should never lose sight of our value and our purpose. With this Godly perspective, we can overcome past hurts, build our own self-esteem and reflect our value to those around us.”

Cirlene Correira, head of Godllywood in KwaZulu Natal shared how her childhood had been challenging, but when she met Jesus and saw her value, she learned to believe in herself, change her mindset and the course of her future.

Pre Sisterhood - women of God to be

Encouraging women to care for themselves, speakers said other people see what we reflect. If we love and respect ourselves, that is what others see. Women were given beautifully hand crafted bookmarks to mark the day when they chose to change their present and their future. Closing the symposium, Marcia Pires said: “Now is your time to dream again. Set yourself free from the past and write a new chapter in your lives.”

Nicola - NB Communications