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Women and Religion in Zimbabwe

Strides and Struggles

Edited by Ezra Chitando; Sophia Chirongoma and Kudzai Biri - Contributions by Ezra Chitando; Kudzai Biri; Sophia Chirongoma; Macloud Sipeyiye; Elias G. Konyana; Tracey Chirara; Dudzirai Chimeri; Tabona Shoko; Mavis Muguti; Tawanda Mbewe; Martin Mujinga; Lindah Tsara; Simbarashe Munamati; Francis Machingura; Joyline Gwara; Menard Musendekwa; Isheanesu Sextus Gusha; Chipo Mable Hatendi; Tapiwa Praise Mapuranga; Tariro Zhou; Barbara C. Manyarara; Kevin Shijja Kuhumba; Kudakwashe Bryson Kabaira; Blessed Simbarashe Matsita and Christine Nakyeyune

The chapters in this volume foreground the ambivalent role of religion and culture when it comes to African women’s health and well-being. Reflecting on the three major religions in Africa, i.e. African Indigenous Religions, Christianity, and Islam, the authors illustrate how religious beliefs and practices can either enhance or hinder women’s holistic progress and development. With a specific focus on Zimbabwean women’s experiences of religion and culture, the volume discusses how African Indigenous Religions, Christianity, and Islam tend to privilege men and understate the value of women in Africa. Adopting diverse theological, ideological, and political positions, contributors to this volume restate the fact that the key teachings of different religions, often suppressed due to patriarchal influences, are a potent resource in the quest for gender justice. In sync with the goals for gender justice and women empowerment envisioned in the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and Africa Agenda 2063, the contributors advocate for gender-inclusive and life-enhancing interpretations of religious and cultural traditions in Africa.

  • Details
  • Details
  • Author
  • Author
  • TOC
  • TOC
  • Reviews
  • Reviews
Lexington Books
Pages: 308 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9
978-1-66690-331-7 • Hardback • July 2022 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
978-1-66690-332-4 • eBook • July 2022 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
Subjects: Religion / Sexuality & Gender Studies, Religion / Christianity / General, Religion / Islam / General, Social Science / Women's Studies, Religion / African Religions

Ezra Chitando serves as professor of religious studies at the University of Zimbabwe and theology consultant on HIV for the World Council of Churches.

Sophia Chirongoma is senior lecturer in the Religious Studies Department at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.

Kudzai Biri is associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Classics, and Philosophy at the University of Zimbabwe.

Introduction: Women and Religion in Zimbabwe and the Role of Men

Ezra Chitando, Sophia Chirongoma, and Kudzai Biri

Chapter One

Harnessing Ndau Religious and Socio-Cultural Beliefs and Practices for Celebrating Women Power in Zimbabwe

Macloud Sipeyiye&Elias G. Konyana

Chapter Two

Rural Women Utilizing African Indigenous Religion(s) in Environmental Conservation: A Case of Mutasa Area in Mutare

Tracey Chirara

Chapter Three

Reconfiguring Lost African Religious Tradition: A Feminist Inquiry into Pre-colonial Gender Construction and Its Impact on Shona Society in Post-colonial Zimbabwe

Dudzirai Chimeri

Chapter Four

African Traditional Religious Women and Reproductive Health: The Case of Mutasa Rural in Mutare

Tracey Chirara &Tabona Shoko

Chapter Five

Woman thou art Cursed? The Case of SARE in Shona Culture

Mavis Muguti&Tawanda Mbewe

Chapter Six

Imagining a Church with Equal Opportunities among the Clergy: A Theological and Cultural Dilemma in the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe

Martin Mujinga

Chapter Seven

Leadership Struggles in the Church: Interfacing and Theologizing the Leadership of Women Clergy in the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ)

Peter Masvotore & Lindah Tsara

Chapter Eight

From Exclusivism to Inclusivism: The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) Rules and Regulations Relating to Women

Simbarashe Munamati

Chapter Nine

Untying the Cords of Patriarchy: A Critique of Violence against Women and the Role of Pentecostal Women in Leadership Positions in Zimbabwe

Kudzai Biri

Chapter Ten

Cultures, Women and the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe

Francis Machingura & Joyline Gwara

Chapter Eleven

Unlocking Judges 13 to Advocate for Women’s Leadership in a Patriarchal System

Menard Musendekwa

Chapter Twelve

“Teacher, This Woman Was Caught in the Very Act of Committing Adultery” (John 8:4b):The Bible, Community, and Genderization of Sin; A Dialogue with the Social Identity Theory

Isheanesu Sextus Gusha

Chapter Thirteen

Young Christian Women as Agents of Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe: A Case Study of Murinye District, Masvingo

Sophia Chirongoma

Chapter Fourteen

Women’s Sexuality: A Tool for Media Advertising in Zimbabwe?

Chipo Mable Hatendi & Tapiwa Praise Mapuranga

Chapter Fifteen

Religio-Cultural Ideologies, Women and the Economy: Gender Inequality in the Mining Sector in Zimbabwe

Tariro Zhou

Chapter Sixteen

The Currency that Buys Peace: Reparation in Gabriel García Márquez’s The Sad and Incredible Tale of Innocent Eréndira and her Heartless Grandmother (1972) and Charles Mungoshi’s ‘Sacrifice’ (1997)

Barbara C. Manyarara

Chapter Seventeen

Towards Women Empowerment in Africa: Insights from the Capability Approach

Kevin Shijja Kuhumba

Chapter Eighteen

Help/Hindrance? The Role of Religion in Women’s Participation in Politics in Zimbabwe

Kudakwashe Bryson Kabaira & Blessed Simbarashe Matsita

Chapter Nineteen

Ring or Title: Examining the Role of the Church in the Land Co-Ownership Clause Advocacy in Uganda

Christine Nakyeyune

About the Contributors

A comprehensive contextualized and contemporary resource on women’s experiences and status in African Indigenous Religions, Christianity, and Islam cleverly nuanced with the role of men in Zimbabwe. It is a must-read for all researchers and anyone interested in religion and the wellbeing of women and men in African contexts and beyond.


— Loreen Maseno, Maseno University


This book makes a significant contribution to the study of religion as a force on the role and place of women in society. It clearly shows that the subject is for the community not for one gender as the authors highlight the positives that have been made and the challenges that are still faced by women in the society. The fact that the study focuses on a particular context makes this book more fascinating because it has depth of critical analysis. This book conceptualizes the current relevance of the study of religion, and it is an important resource for all those who teach gender and religion in different institutions.


— Esther Mombo, St. Paul’s University


Women and Religion in Zimbabwe

Strides and Struggles

Cover Image
Hardback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • The chapters in this volume foreground the ambivalent role of religion and culture when it comes to African women’s health and well-being. Reflecting on the three major religions in Africa, i.e. African Indigenous Religions, Christianity, and Islam, the authors illustrate how religious beliefs and practices can either enhance or hinder women’s holistic progress and development. With a specific focus on Zimbabwean women’s experiences of religion and culture, the volume discusses how African Indigenous Religions, Christianity, and Islam tend to privilege men and understate the value of women in Africa. Adopting diverse theological, ideological, and political positions, contributors to this volume restate the fact that the key teachings of different religions, often suppressed due to patriarchal influences, are a potent resource in the quest for gender justice. In sync with the goals for gender justice and women empowerment envisioned in the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and Africa Agenda 2063, the contributors advocate for gender-inclusive and life-enhancing interpretations of religious and cultural traditions in Africa.

Details
Details
  • Lexington Books
    Pages: 308 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9
    978-1-66690-331-7 • Hardback • July 2022 • $116.00 • (£89.00)
    978-1-66690-332-4 • eBook • July 2022 • $45.00 • (£35.00)
    Subjects: Religion / Sexuality & Gender Studies, Religion / Christianity / General, Religion / Islam / General, Social Science / Women's Studies, Religion / African Religions
Author
Author
  • Ezra Chitando serves as professor of religious studies at the University of Zimbabwe and theology consultant on HIV for the World Council of Churches.

    Sophia Chirongoma is senior lecturer in the Religious Studies Department at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.

    Kudzai Biri is associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Classics, and Philosophy at the University of Zimbabwe.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Introduction: Women and Religion in Zimbabwe and the Role of Men

    Ezra Chitando, Sophia Chirongoma, and Kudzai Biri

    Chapter One

    Harnessing Ndau Religious and Socio-Cultural Beliefs and Practices for Celebrating Women Power in Zimbabwe

    Macloud Sipeyiye&Elias G. Konyana

    Chapter Two

    Rural Women Utilizing African Indigenous Religion(s) in Environmental Conservation: A Case of Mutasa Area in Mutare

    Tracey Chirara

    Chapter Three

    Reconfiguring Lost African Religious Tradition: A Feminist Inquiry into Pre-colonial Gender Construction and Its Impact on Shona Society in Post-colonial Zimbabwe

    Dudzirai Chimeri

    Chapter Four

    African Traditional Religious Women and Reproductive Health: The Case of Mutasa Rural in Mutare

    Tracey Chirara &Tabona Shoko

    Chapter Five

    Woman thou art Cursed? The Case of SARE in Shona Culture

    Mavis Muguti&Tawanda Mbewe

    Chapter Six

    Imagining a Church with Equal Opportunities among the Clergy: A Theological and Cultural Dilemma in the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe

    Martin Mujinga

    Chapter Seven

    Leadership Struggles in the Church: Interfacing and Theologizing the Leadership of Women Clergy in the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ)

    Peter Masvotore & Lindah Tsara

    Chapter Eight

    From Exclusivism to Inclusivism: The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) Rules and Regulations Relating to Women

    Simbarashe Munamati

    Chapter Nine

    Untying the Cords of Patriarchy: A Critique of Violence against Women and the Role of Pentecostal Women in Leadership Positions in Zimbabwe

    Kudzai Biri

    Chapter Ten

    Cultures, Women and the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe

    Francis Machingura & Joyline Gwara

    Chapter Eleven

    Unlocking Judges 13 to Advocate for Women’s Leadership in a Patriarchal System

    Menard Musendekwa

    Chapter Twelve

    “Teacher, This Woman Was Caught in the Very Act of Committing Adultery” (John 8:4b):The Bible, Community, and Genderization of Sin; A Dialogue with the Social Identity Theory

    Isheanesu Sextus Gusha

    Chapter Thirteen

    Young Christian Women as Agents of Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe: A Case Study of Murinye District, Masvingo

    Sophia Chirongoma

    Chapter Fourteen

    Women’s Sexuality: A Tool for Media Advertising in Zimbabwe?

    Chipo Mable Hatendi & Tapiwa Praise Mapuranga

    Chapter Fifteen

    Religio-Cultural Ideologies, Women and the Economy: Gender Inequality in the Mining Sector in Zimbabwe

    Tariro Zhou

    Chapter Sixteen

    The Currency that Buys Peace: Reparation in Gabriel García Márquez’s The Sad and Incredible Tale of Innocent Eréndira and her Heartless Grandmother (1972) and Charles Mungoshi’s ‘Sacrifice’ (1997)

    Barbara C. Manyarara

    Chapter Seventeen

    Towards Women Empowerment in Africa: Insights from the Capability Approach

    Kevin Shijja Kuhumba

    Chapter Eighteen

    Help/Hindrance? The Role of Religion in Women’s Participation in Politics in Zimbabwe

    Kudakwashe Bryson Kabaira & Blessed Simbarashe Matsita

    Chapter Nineteen

    Ring or Title: Examining the Role of the Church in the Land Co-Ownership Clause Advocacy in Uganda

    Christine Nakyeyune

    About the Contributors

Reviews
Reviews
  • A comprehensive contextualized and contemporary resource on women’s experiences and status in African Indigenous Religions, Christianity, and Islam cleverly nuanced with the role of men in Zimbabwe. It is a must-read for all researchers and anyone interested in religion and the wellbeing of women and men in African contexts and beyond.


    — Loreen Maseno, Maseno University


    This book makes a significant contribution to the study of religion as a force on the role and place of women in society. It clearly shows that the subject is for the community not for one gender as the authors highlight the positives that have been made and the challenges that are still faced by women in the society. The fact that the study focuses on a particular context makes this book more fascinating because it has depth of critical analysis. This book conceptualizes the current relevance of the study of religion, and it is an important resource for all those who teach gender and religion in different institutions.


    — Esther Mombo, St. Paul’s University


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