1. Gender Justice and the Catholic Church

2. The sound of silence… 1 Corinthians 14: 34-36
As in all the churches of the saints, women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

3. Is there a different theology?
What would it ‘..mean to experience our being gendered as gift rather than danger, a source of life and hope rather than of oppression or fear? ”.
- Of the same flesh: a theology of gender. Christian Aid 2014

4. A radical, alternative faith..
So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’ - Genesis 1: 26-27

5. A different reality…
‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ.’ - Galatians 3:28

6. A vision
Ivone Gebara – Catholic nun from Brazil
‘Men and women will dwell in their houses; men and women will eat the same bread, drink the same wine, and dance together in the brightly lit square, celebrating the bonds of all humanity.’

7. What are the barriers preventing faith actors addressing gender justice?
Entrenched patronage and powerful vested interests
I don’t want to address gender justice
Poor faith-state relations. FBO’s seen as part of the problem
Lack of organisational incentives
I don’t have to address gender justice
Fear of ostracism, don’t see the benefits
Autocratic or technocratic attitude
Lack of personal knowledge and skills
Lack of appropriate methodologies,
I can’t address gender justice
Lack of sanctions
Lack of committed leadership
Lack of confidence in faith institutions capacity
Lack of public pressure and lay person engagement (due to disempowerment, fear or apathy)
Disabling theology

8. How can we mobilise faith actors to do more?
Political Want (I want to address gender justice!)
Nurture constructive faith institution relationships & mutual respect e.g. immersions for faith leaders
Build on moral and political self-interests e.g. theology for gender justice
Political Can (I can address Gender Justice!)
Capacity development e.g. mainstream gender to theological colleges, Gender Model Families type approaches
Political Must (I must address Gender Justice!)
Empower and mobilise people of faith (pressure from below) e.g. faith marches for gender justice
Influence top leadership (pressure from above) e.g. national faith consultations

9. The Gender and Dignity Tool:
Workbook format with illustrations, exercises and resources
5 sections:
Introduction – Purpose, Concepts and Values
Chapter 1: The Individual
Chapter 2: The Family
Chapter 3: The Community
Chapter 4: The Society

10. Concepts and values Catholic values and traditions
Key Catholic documents e.g. Africae Munus, Pope Paul letters
Biblical references to women (New Testament)

11. Gender Justice Interventions
What works at the Individual Level
What works at the Family Level
What works at the Community Level
What works at the Society Level
Using partner examples, scriptures and theological reflections

12. Methodology: The pastoral cycle
SEE
JUDGE
ACT
CELEBRATE

13. Key questions: Is such a tool useful? For what purpose?
Is there anything missing? Any suggestions?
Any key theological documents from your regions that need to be considered?
Please send any feedback to Tanja Haque and Thank you!
Is this useful?
Are there any gaps?
Do you have any useful information in terms of amplifying theology?