On 7 September 2026, women working at the Eiffel Tower in Paris joined a staff protest. Reports said female workers had been asked to leave their posts or stay away from certain areas during a private visit by about 100 members of the BAPS Hindu organisation. The request was reportedly tied to BAPS practices that keep its male ascetics separate from women. BAPS states that its sadhus maintain strict separation from women.
In this report, we compile 12 documented cases in which Christian institutions, churches, monasteries, and organisations placed limits on women’s participation, leadership, or access. We examine the contrast between these practices and how these institutions claim religious tolerance and gender equality, especially when similar restrictions in other religious communities draw criticism.
During the Eiffel Tower controversy, on 5 September 2026, BAPS sadhus asked women to keep some distance from them, prompting female staff to protest. But it is noteworthy that while comparable restrictions have been and continue to be imposed on women by several Christian institutions, there were no such protests or outrage.
#1 Promise Keepers’ “Wake-Up Call” Conference Opens Participation Exclusively to Men – September 2026 – USA
Promise Keepers is set to hold its “Wake-Up Call” conference on 7 November 2026, at Bayside Chapel in Barnegat, New Jersey. The Christian men’s ministry designed the event to encourage spiritual renewal, biblical discipleship, and stronger commitment to God and family. It is open to men and young men aged 12 and above, across denominations, generations, races, and cultures. Women are not included in the stated participation eligibility, as the conference specifically addresses men’s roles as spiritual leaders, husbands, fathers, and community members.
#2 Christian Gym Bars Women, Saying Their Presence Can Cause Lust and Distraction – August 2026 – USA
Proverbs 27:17 Fitness is a men-only, Christian faith-based gym founded by Jeff Hambrecht in Oklahoma City. The gym aims to help Christian men build physical fitness, character, and stronger relationships with God in a co-ed-free environment. Hambrecht, who has spoken about his past infidelity and sex addiction, says the policy is intended to help men, particularly those in recovery, avoid situations they associate with temptation. Women are not permitted to participate.
#3 Vatican Rejects Proposal to Allow Women and Laypeople to Preach at Catholic Mass – June 2026 – Vatican City
The Vatican reaffirmed its rule that only an ordained priest or deacon may deliver the homily during a Catholic Mass, rejecting a request from the German bishops to allow women and other laypeople to preach. The Vatican said the restriction derives from the nature of the Catholic liturgy, where priests are understood to act in persona Christi. Because women cannot be ordained as priests or deacons, they remain excluded from delivering homilies during Mass. Laypeople, including women, may preach only at prayer services held outside Mass, highlighting an ongoing gender-based restriction on formal preaching within Catholic worship.
#4 Stronger Man Nation Ministry Organises Men-Only Freedom Con Event – June 2026 – USA
Stronger Man Nation held Freedom Con: “Rise of the Statesman,” a two-day Christian men’s conference, on June 19–20, 2026. The event was designed exclusively for men and boys, and organizers stated plainly that wives and daughters could not attend in person, though a livestream was offered. The conference was also declared a strictly “dry event,” banning both the possession and sale of alcohol. Barring women and alcohol from the same physical space at the same time invites serious concern about gender discrimination.
#5 Southern Baptist Convention Moves to Ban Women from Serving as Pastors – June 2026 – USA
The Southern Baptist Convention voted by nearly 75% of 8,074 delegates to advance an amendment that would formally prevent women from serving as pastors and also prohibit them from performing pastoral functions, including preaching to an assembled congregation. The measure requires a second vote in June 2027 before taking effect. Baptist Women in Ministry warn that the expanded restrictions could limit women’s leadership and increase harassment and safety concerns for female ministers.
#6 Mount Athos Bars Women from Entering the Sacred Christian Monastic Community – May 2026 – Greece
Mount Athos, an autonomous Eastern Orthodox Christian monastic community in northern Greece, has prohibited women from entering for more than 1,000 years under the religious rule known as the Avaton. The restriction applies to women regardless of nationality or religion and is intended to preserve the monks’ celibate lifestyle and sacred environment. Home to 20 monasteries, Mount Athos is governed under special autonomous status within Greece.
#7 Plymouth Brethren Christian Church: Strict Gender Roles and Restrictions on Women – July 2024 – UK/World Over
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church follows male-led worship practices in which women are not permitted to lead worship, preach, or pray audibly during church meetings. Women and children are also seated separately from men during services, reflecting the church’s traditional interpretation of gender roles. Former members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church have also said that its strict doctrine restricts most married women from paid employment and prevents members from physically attending university.
#8 Colombo Archdiocese Bans Girls from Serving as Altar Servers – October 2024 – Sri Lanka
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of the Archdiocese of Colombo ordered parishes not to allow girls to serve as altar servers, reserving the role for boys. He argued that altar serving is an important pathway to priestly vocations and that, because women cannot be ordained as Catholic priests, the role should remain male-only. Ranjith said several parishes had already appointed girls but instructed priests that they could not override his decision.
#9 Knights of Columbus Restricts Membership to Catholic Men Only – April 2020 – International Catholic fraternal organization
The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal and charitable organization founded in 1882, restricts regular membership to Catholic men aged 18 and older who are in union with the Holy See and practice the precepts of the Catholic Church. Women are not eligible to become members of the Order. The organization promotes charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, while supporting Catholic communities and providing charitable services and member benefits. Applicants must meet the religious and age requirements, complete an application, and receive approval from their local council.
#10 Stavrovouni Monastery Restricts Entry to Women – Cyprus
Stavrovouni Monastery in Cyprus is an Orthodox Christian monastery where women are prohibited from entering, while male visitors may enter if appropriately dressed. Founded, according to tradition, in the 4th century by St. Helena, the monastery is located about 40 km from Larnaka. The gender restriction is part of the monastery’s strict monastic rules, described as similar to those at Mount Athos in Greece. Photography and video recording are also prohibited.
#11 Mar Saba Monastery in Palestine Restricts Women from Entering – October 2017 – Palestine
Mar Saba Monastery, a roughly 1,500-year-old Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery near Bethlehem, maintains several longstanding religious traditions, including a rule that women are not permitted to enter the monastery. Founded by Saint Mar Saba with his disciples in the late fifth century, the monastery is located about 20 km south of Bethlehem near Ubejdije. It is historically associated with John of Damascus and the development of Orthodox Christian rituals.
#12 San Francisco Priest Stops Accepting New Altar Girls – February 2015 – USA
Rev. Joseph Illo, parish priest of Star of the Sea Church, announced that the parish would no longer accept new altar girls, limiting new altar-server roles to boys. Illo argued that girls were more effective at the role, but their participation could discourage boys from serving and potentially pursuing the Catholic priesthood. The policy reflected a conservative approach to gender roles within the Catholic Church and drew criticism from those who argued that women and girls should have equal opportunities to participate in church ministries.
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