The ordination of women in the Anglican Communion has been increasingly common in certain provinces since the 1970s. Several provinces, however, and certain dioceses within otherwise ordaining provinces, continue to ordain only men. Disputes over the ordination of women have contributed to the establishment and growth of conservative seccession movements, such as the Anglican realignment and Continuing Anglican movements.
Some provinces within the Anglican Communion ordain women to the three traditional holy orders of deacon, priest and bishop. Other provinces ordain women as deacons and priests but not as bishops; others as deacons only. Within provinces that permit the ordination of women, approval of enabling legislation is largely a diocesan responsibility.