From the words of Pope Shenouda III on Women’s Day

A woman desires to obtain what suits her, in terms of rights, so that she may not fall into the deviations of the West, nor imitate the West completely without regard for our Eastern traditions and our religious spirit.
We shall soon, God willing, form (the General Coptic Committee for Women’s Affairs) …
A woman must first organize her ranks, then join the official service of the Church.
By the will of the Lord, we shall organize the work of women in Church education, in social service, in nurseries, and in all activities.
It is our duty to care for women in every field: to care for expatriates, the elderly, the poor, the divorced, and the imprisoned.
We shall also be concerned with houses of consecration, whether for those who love solitude and worship, or those who love service, and we shall organize both aspects.
There are fields for women’s service outside Egypt as well, in the field of evangelism abroad.
If a woman is faithful to the talents that are in her hand, God will set her over many things.
It is not permissible for a woman to look to another field, at the expense of her faithfulness to her duty as a wife and her duty as a mother.
Extremism in demanding rights is not in the interest of a woman, because it will frighten the man who will grant her these rights.
Let a woman ask for what suits her nature and her femininity, and what agrees with the position that the Lord has willed for her,
and explained in His Holy Book.

Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – in Al-Keraza Magazine – Year Seven (Issue One) 2-1-1976

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