The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
RELIGIOUS institutions across the country last Friday joined the world in commemorating International Women’s day (IWD) under the theme, “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change.”
The role of the women is ever evolving in religious spaces where others have taken up leadership roles once considered solely for men.
Women are now being ordained bishops, preaching in front of the pulpit and also forming their own religious organisations. This is a break from the religious restrictions obtained from interpretations of religious texts proffered by various denominations.
Although society’s attitude towards women’s role in religion has somewhat become amenable, contentions remain in religions like Christianity, Muslim and Judaism due to various scripture interpretations. In Christianity, interpretations of the Bible on matters dealing with men and women have left women out of leadership roles.
One of the key verses that has remained contentious is 1 Corinthians 14:34 which states that, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law”.
Many have used this to justify the marginalisation of women in playing mainstream roles in churches.
Religious leaders who spoke to this publication revealed how attitudes towards the role of women in religious spaces continue to change for the better.
Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Reverend, Gibson Botomani said women will be leading today’s (Sunday) activities including preaching on the pulpit.
Rev Botomani said women are agents of change and conveyors of good news in religion therefore their position should be respected.“Church is at the core of society and as women, they are usually the victims or if the victim is a child, the mother is the one that gets to know or notice first making them very key components of the community. Women should know and understand their role in the fight against abuse and only through them can the society be a better place,” he said.
Issues that include how women ought to dress and behave have been at the forefront in religious setups ahead of women’s capabilities. Co-founder of Impact Christian Centre (ICC) Pastor Gwen Kanokanga, who commemorated IWD conducting empowerment projects for sex workers and single parents in Domboshava, said women are influencers, carriers of blessings, peace makers and organisers in religion.
“Domboshava is worryingly becoming a hub for prostitution and statistics of single mothers are on the increase. So we felt the need to empower them and as well teach them of ways to fend for their children without pursuing prostitution. We taught them how to make different products which include soaps, mats and plaiting hair,” she said.
Acknowledging the central role women play in their families and communities, Church on the Rock Ministries International led by Bishop Rosewittar Chikohwa hosted a three day prayer convention in Highfield which included empowerment sessions. Bishop Chikohwa said the programs were meant to upgrade the lives of women in the society.
“We are going to have different church projects with quick returns. The profits are going to be specifically for women who wish to enrol into school. We will give them loans to be paid back after they complete their courses.
“We also encouraged them to take up such courses as pastors or evangelists and other jobs that many believe are for males,” she said.
Many religious organisations and churches continue to be led by men with women coming in as supporting wives or taking up ceremonial roles.
His Presence Ministries International leader Apostle Petunia Chiriseri who took up leadership of the church following the death of her husband in 2017 said women are leaders at both household and community levels though they do not know how to define their roles. She added that God gives women equal rights to their male counterparts, contrary to belief that men were superior.
“Biblically, when Moses excluded women from receiving their father’s inheritance, they went and challenged him. Moses enquired from the Lord, and God’s response was very clear ‘The daughters of Zelophehad are right,” she said.
The Muslim faith is one also known to be strict when it comes to a woman’s place in the religious circles.
The faith is particular with how women dress and conduct themselves in religious spaces like funerals and the Mosque.
Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs Chairperson, Sheikh Ishmail Duwa said these observations follow teachings of Prophet Muhammed. He added that for instance in various teachings, Prophet Muhammed forbade of shedding tears and as compassionate as women are, they therefore have been restricted from emotionally evoking events like funerals.
He said Muslim women also have to cover themselves in long robes to prevent possibilities of tempting men which in turn can lead to cases of abuse.
“The long dressing is not abuse as many might want to take it but it is protection for Islamic women.
‘‘The more they are covered, the less the chances men are tempted and the safer they are against abuse,” he said.
