‘Where are the good women speakers and preachers?' It's a question that has resonated in churches and Christian events for far too long. Most event organisers are aware of the need for balance and diversity in their speaking teams. The trouble is that if they don't know who the good women speakers are, then those women don't get booked, they don't get heard and no one knows who they are. It's a vicious circle.

From Spring 2008, conference and event organisers will be able to contact the Sophia Network to get suggestions for female speakers. From our directory of women youth workers, we will identify people who have the experience, subject knowledge and skills that you are looking for, and we'll put you in touch with them.

Women are trusted to create their own directory entries that reflect their skills and experience. So it's up to conference and event organisers to ask for references, recordings of talks or other evidence to convince them that this is the woman for them. But we hope too, that event organisers will be prepared to step out, take some risks and create opportunities and environments where women can use and develop the gifts that God has given them.