Religion and Gender Justice

Feminism is seen as being problematic in most spaces on the African continent, because men and women on the continent know their place and succumb to these roles ungrudgingly. A major factor in the implementation of these roles is religious and cultural interpretations and expectations. Patriarchy, which is a social system that privileges men and subordinates all others maintains that men are inherently more superior to all others. Patriarchy presumes centeredness, domination, control, power of men which entail the oppression, subordination, and submission of women. This is supported by religion and theology and said to be backed by the “Law of God”.

According to Emile Durkheim, Religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things. Religion plays a vital role in the lives of people on a daily basis and it is stated that 85% of the worlds population believe and follow different religious faiths .This offers religious leaders’ great power and influence in driving and shaping discourse on many societal issues. Faith provides solidarity and discipline, and this enables believers to function under a collective consciousness. Mortal man has without question respected and honored scriptures from religious texts as being sacrosanct. These scriptures and texts were written as a guide to navigating through existence and are open to vast interpretations.

Our society has always been patriarchal in nature and this stems from creation where Eve was created from Adam to be a worldly companion to foster procreation and act as a mother of nations. Women have always been seen as being subordinate to men in a hierarchy that ensures peaceful coexistence. As time and doctrine are not static and ever evolving, the status of women has progressed, to allow women a measure of equality to men. Religion and culture have however held on to the subordination of women based and justified by misinterpretations of scripture which are no longer relevant and grossly outdated. Women belonging to religious minorities face additional obstacles to achieving equality. They not only struggle to overcome the disadvantages resulting from being part of a minority group, but also the restrictions faced simply by the fact of being women and stereotypical views that relegate them primarily to roles as housewives and mothers.

There is a need to address the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that women from religious minorities face. The engagement of women in gender justice is critical to challenge patriarchal structures that should not be legitimatized by religion. Pope John Paul's historic apology to women was the beginning of the catholic faiths admission that it had encouraged centuries of oppressive treatment by the church towards women. He admitted that is had been based on ‘’dogmatically inspired wrong misinterpretations”

Many women and especially African women looked to colonial churches to liberate them and restore their human rights as well as provide opportunities for their development. This was not to be the case, as churches which were mostly overseen by males, found it beneficial to sustain and maintain gender classifications and the continued subordination of women. Churches in Africa, aided by traditional beliefs supported paternalistic and patriarchal gender structures and constructs. These structures perpetuated inequalities and injustices against women.

Gender equality asks for equal opportunities for the sexes and an opportunity to contribute to societal development by being recognized by individual ability and not by sex. Women’s engagement in intra-religious dialogue is crucial, especially when it comes to gender issues. Moving away from simple rhetoric and towards joint action, women can demonstrate the potential for dialogue, as well as the positive role that can be played by religions, which is often underestimated and sometimes even neglected by religious leaders.

Religions are not static. Theology should adapt according to the need to find new answers to questions in evolving circumstances. Women have increasingly become aware of the necessity to challenge religious arguments that restrict their rights “for their own good” or “for their protection”. Women have realized the empowerment gained by becoming actively involved and stepping away from a “victim” perspective.

Furthering this discussion should entail approaching religion as part of the solution rather than the problem. Religion looks to the future, offering a vision of another kind of society. It challenges people to think, imagine, and create a better future for everyone, not just for themselves.