Religion-based definitions of gender role: Any effect on welfare of women? Fraction K. Dzinjalamala, PhD. African Bioethics Training Program Johns Hopkins University & Blantyre Malaria Project Presented at Faith-Based Organizations as Pioneers and Partners in Health Systems Development, May 31, 2005, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, DC

Population Distribution of religions in Malawi Protestan t 55%,Protestan t Roman Catholic 20%,Roman Catholic Muslim 20%,Muslim Indigenous beliefs 3%, other 2%

What’s open to speculation in the Malawi case Can religiosity, at times, be an impediment to campaigns on gender equality and sensitization to gender inequalities? Fact: People respect their clergy’s views and tend to unquestionably adhere to teachings of their religion

Can extremist christians abuse/misinterpret the following judio- christian texts ? the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. Unto the woman GOD said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee Refs: 1 Corinthians 14:34; Ephesians 5:24; 1 Timothy 2:12; Gen 3:16

Some religionists’ concerns Child daycare centers/ Kindergartens have become substitutes for needed maternal care for child development Children spend little or no time with parents as both parents are, for most of the day, at work and come home in the evenings Children being estranged from their parent at critical development stage when parental values could be effectively imparted…MISSED WINDOW FOR CHILD TRAINING Increasing crime in our society can be traced back to lack of proper parental guidance in early childhood In contrast, while the father hunts for food the mother could nurture her kids and family

An Islamic woman’s personal opinion…(Yasmid Mogahed) “A Muslim woman does not need to degrade herself in this way. She has God as a standard. She has God to give her value; she doesn't need a man.” “It took women in the West almost a century of experimentation to realize a privilege given to Muslim women 1400 years ago.”

Muthoni (Dorcus) Kimani’s perspective (University of Cape Town): view of a feminist “ Man has failed in his duty as homemaker and compassionate family provider in his chase for his own ego so that women have realized that their God-given right to be supported while they bring up the next generation is not honored or respected” “A woman finds that if she does not have a career she is treated as rubbish and labeled ‘goal keeper’. Somebody dictates your needs, wants and wishes.” “When one parent dies the remaining one should be empowered to take care of the children”

2004 Documented Problems in Malawi Persistence of gender inequality at almost all levels Adult illiteracy is still very high at 58% and is worse among women Low economic status of women Inadequate preparation of children to develop their full potential to learn, grow and develop into responsible adulthood and increasing cases of juvenile delinquency;

Other problems There has been physical fighting and damage of property directly related to differences about whether a woman is appropriate for a certain job. Women divorced for pursuing studies abroad or at home Divorce and/or physical abuse of women who refuse to have more children Some men still believe use of conventional contraception is “sin”

Questions How can religious institutions promote female autonomy without “compromising” their dogma-based definitions of a woman’s position in relation to man Which approach would be more effective in building an ideal society: Feminism approach? Religion-based approach?