The First National Meeting of the Women of Orthodox Churches in India, was held in Trevandrum (Kerala) in early 1990.
The following recommendations were made to "the church and to the various women's organisations and to the relevant departments of the government of India"

(i) that the attention of the church authorities be brought to the need to give women membership in the general body of each parish.

(ii) that women be given the right to vote

(iii) that a national-level committee be formed to coordinate the follow-up work of this conference.

(iv
.a) that immediate amendments to the Indian Divorce Act 1869 be implemented and the resolutions be submitted to the Law Commission, the church synods and to members of the Indian parliament.

b) that the Women's Commission may study the adverse effects of the title over properties of Syrian Christians, if any, caused on account of the Supreme Court judgement in the Syrian Christian Succession Act case.

(v) that representation of women in the decision-making bodies of the church, other than the Holy Synod of bishops, be considered.

(vi) that the Orthodox churches open the gates to women for theological studies in the theological seminaries.

(vii) that a new and creative reinstitution of the order of deaconess be studied

(viii)' that in (church curricula) those biblical references that are oft-misinterpreted stressing discrimination against women be deleted.

(ix) that the large mass of men and women in the various church activities be made conscious of the need for a change in their outlook on the role of women at home, in the church and in the larger society...

(x) that since there are many women who suffer within the family, due to lack of proper guidance (of all family members), and so as to lessen family tensions and problems, counselling centres be set up by the church.

(xi) that the church take the initiative in the starting of study circles and discussion groups in the various churches which will make women realise the urgency and need for change.

(xii) that Orthodox church women's organisations explore and find ways and means to get help from free Legal Aid Cells which have been started by the government in each district.

(xiii) that Orthodox Christian women be encouraged to take a more active role in ecumenical women's activities and also in actions with women of all faiths.

(xiv) that the women's monastic order be strengthened so as to enhance the spiritual constributions of Orthodox Christian women

[Ed.note .... These recommendations indicate the wide areas of concern of Orthodox women in India both within the church community and with the secular and state social issues affecting women. Twelve years later, it would be interesting to receive an update report on whether there have there been changes for women in the churches in India. Especially the issues of theological training and admittance to seminaries; counselling centres for women and families; the right to vote; church teachings on the place of women, church and dowry, etc.