Feminism in africa in this first part we will look at women s activism in africa. Fatima mernissis book, the forgotten queens of islam, is a crucial piece in feminist theology for islam and how it relates to a non western state. Contents feminist theology in third world perspective. This chapter charts the history of 30 years of study, research and teaching in feminist theology in the uk. Pdf a critical appraisal of african feminist theology loreen. The first is to find passages that can be used in opposition to texts that have traditionally been used to oppress women. Journal of constructive theology gender, religion and. Pdf a critical appraisal of african feminist theology. Some support the effort and see the advancement of women as a parallel issue to the advancement and liberation of the nation. Feminist liberation theology home women can be priests. The cambridge companion to liberation theology liberation theology is widely referred to in discussions of politics and religion but not always adequately understood.
However, the specific material conditions resulting from the enduring legacy of coloniality are often not considered in westerncentric feminist representations of women in africa. It aimed to provide language for articulating past and present experiences of women from a theological and hermeneutical perspective. Currently the director of the institute of women in religion and culture at trinity theological seminary. The aim of the book is to lead interested persons to the sources of african womens christian theology. Other fact sheets will further explore feminism in the middle and far east, and in central and south america. An albatross on women in africa borrowed feminist ideas of the western europe that emanated from the famous feminist.
It is an important theological journal in the subcontinent. This will be done from the authors perspective that black theology has to be revived and to have a place in the future of theological development in south africa. The study of christianity from feminist, womanist, latina and mujerista perspectives has expanded our. Feminist theologychrist and god 343 american and european white feminists but also in jacquelyn grants womanist christology,9 in nelly ritchies reading of the gospels from the perspective of latin american women and maria pilar aquinos. We set from where we are, continuing along the path of faith consciously seeking greater understanding4. Adebayo assistant lecture, nigerian baptist theological seminary, ogbomoso abstract the discourse about the marginalization of women or femalegender is a general phenomenon that cut across culture, races, and generations. Currently the director of the institute of women in religion and culture at trinity theological. It demonstrates the significance of raising african feminist pneumatological questions in aics studies. Adebayo assistant lecture, nigerian baptist theological seminary, ogbomoso abstract the discourse about the marginalization of women or femalegender is a general phenomenon that cut.
This is reflected in the different directions feminist debates in africa have taken. Women and religion in east africa under globalization. This perspective shows a correlation between aics that give prominence to the doctrine of. There can be no doubt about the importance of this theme in the current south african and african contexts. Rush, autumn grubbswetnam, and christina lane the focus of this chapter is the ways in which communication theory and method can provide a richer, more complex and enlightening canvas of. Questioning culture and the theological paradigm on women oppression.
Toward a feminist pneumatological argument for women in ministry, lisa p. In the current period such a perspective on feminism in africa is not only conservative, but does a disservice to the womens movements, and to the. This research study uses theological underpinnings of african women. Provide real world examples that show how the efforts of selected cultural feminists in south africa have improved the lives of south african women. These reflections were ultimately published in a book called. An albatross on women in africa borrowed feminist ideas of the western europe that emanated from the famous feminist rights struggles seem to forget and overlook the rich ontological and cosmological respect for the coexistence of the two sexes in precolonial african societies ani, 2011. Doing theology from third world womens perspective womens oppression and cries of pain the bible as a source of empowerment for women challenging traditional theological thinking a newly emerging spirituality all texts are placed in context by brief introductory comments, while the main. Students will be expected to explain to the class the development of cultural feminism in south africa.
Vibrant pioneer of inculturated african theology the sequence in this chapter is as follows. The theoretical framework was then used to do a close reading of the manual. Feminist theologychrist and god theological studies. It helps women combine this struggle with belief in scripture. Sept 25 african contexts oct 2 mercy amba oduyoye oct 9 convocation mercy oduyoye as speaker 3. Mar 14, 2016 mercy amba oduyoye, mother of african feminist theology, is one of these inspiring models.
Its history, dynamics, scope and future paul bowers african theology 109 the term african theology commonly refers to the lively conversation within the african christian community that, beginning early in the 1960s and increasing unabated to the present, seeks to address the intellectual and theological issues. Mar 14 no classspring recess africa mar 21 historical background reading. Feminist theologychrist and god 341 christian eschatology has refused to accept the inevitable limitations of earthly existence. African female theologians, from hereon the circle, i pose to assess their use. The term arose in the 1980s as more african american women entered the theological field and questioned that white feminist and black male theologians spoke adequately to the particular experience of african american. Towards an african womens liberation theology of human dignity. The past and future of black theology in south africa. The author reads the story of jesus and the samaritan woman jn 4. Handbook of theological education in africa vi explanation for cover picture. The emergence of black feminist theology in south africa. The first chapter deals with a brief history on the genesis of african feminist theologies as an irruption within an irruption of feminist theological movements in the world including a reflection on its relationship to the secular feminist movement, and to similar theologies such as contextual theology, liberation theology and the holiness feminist movement. Feminist biblical interpretation is on part in the larger struggle for womens liberation. Feminism in south africa has been shaped by struggles for political and racial equality, as well as by national and transnational struggles for gender equality.
The african women theologians contribution towards the. He was also a resource person for the special assembly for africa of the synod of bishops. Feminist biblical scholarship in south africa that focuses on the new testament cannot be separated from the larger context of feminist scholarship in south africa or even africa. A feminist theological response from southern africa to globalization. The topic of the conference was theology and gender in the african context. Society of biblical literature global perspectives on biblical scholarship.
Feminism in africa in this first part we will look at womens activism in africa. Rather the slowly emerging african feminism is distinctively heterosexual, pronatal, and concerned with many bread, butter, culture, and power issues 1997. African women theology, human dignity, humiliation, domestic work, feminist cultural. Generally speaking, the african women s movement has been strongly influenced and shaped by the activism against colonial rule and racist ideologies. This article focused on feminist theory, feminist theology, the origins of the patriarchal marriage, and hermeneutics of suspicion. The major christian churches attitude to liberation theology, and the extent of the movements indebtedness to marxism, are examined.
Chapter 9 the bible, gender equality and teaching theology. Feminist scholars, working collabora tively and across disciplines, find in womens experience a fertile source for theological reflection. Cultural feminism in south africa jackson state university. Feminist theologies in africa by sarojini nadar prairie group. The discourse of gretha wiid will form the main conversation partner in this thesis and will. The consequences of a distorted relationship to the earth have had a. A feminist ecclesiological study on the gap between gender policy and practice in the methodist church of southern africa mcsa by jenette louisa sprong 200000211 submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy in the subject of religion and social transformation at the. This type of feminism is viewed from the lenses of radical african feminism in africa, this was marked as finding a voice, afrocentric radical feminism. Is the christian message good tidings or bad news for women. At this point let me emphasise that it is the attitude of selflessness. The apartheid museum in johannesburg is also a rich resource for further information on cultural feminism in south africa.
Theological trends feminist approaches to theology, i i 8 it possible to be both a woman and a christian at the same time. Meet the mother of african feminist theology sojourners. Theological symposium of scholars from eastern africa. Before reflecting in more detail on the relationship between gender, theological education. One way of highlighting these commonalities is to trace the rise of feminist theological reflection. An introduction to the theological methods of pentecostal systematic theologians, christopher adam stephenson.
When god created the earth, the human being male and female was created in gods image. Jtsa has been published continuously since december 1972 as a vehicle to promote theological reflection within the social, political and cultural context. A feminist theological reconstruction of christian theology. This volume describes the context and methodology of christian theology by africans in the past two decades and provides brief descriptions of sample treatments of theological issues, such as creation, christology, ecclesiology and eschatology. The study of women and christianity from a crosscultural perspective sheds light on womens roles in globalization, transnationalism, migration, inculturation, religious fundamentalism, and new religious movements.
Others reject the feminist movement because it is perceived to threaten customary patriarchal practices and male authority in south africa. A feminist theological engagement with body and sexuality in the worthy women movement. Feminist liberation theologians network water womens. The roots of feminist theology feminist theology is rooted in what is known as the second wave of feminism that arose in the 1950s and. Pdf south africa, feminism and the challenges of solidarity. Pdf feminist new testament scholarship in south africa. As an interest group, african feminism set off in the early twentieth century with women like adelaide caselyhayford, the sierra leonian womens rights activist who contributed widely to both pan african and feminist goals, charlotte maxeke who in 1918 founded the bantu womens league in south africa and huda sharaawi who in 1923 established the egyptian feminist union. It considers african feminist theology as a received in revised form diverse and growing area bringing forth new research, new arguments 12th november. Hermeneutical alternatives carolyn osiek department of biblical literature catholic theological union, chicago, usa visiting professor. Established 1972 the journal of theology for southern africa is published from the school of religion, philosophy and classics at the university of kwazulunatal. Listening to musa dubes postcolonial feminist theology melissa d.
A systematic theological enquiry into dalys engagement with gender issues in christian theology by johanna martina wood submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of doctor of theology in the subject systematic theology at the university of south africa promoter. The importance of daily life to theology and the attempt to probe the spirituality of african christian women is also evident in this introduction to african womens theology. African feminist theology is a recent phenomenon where male theologians such as john mbiti, kwame bediako, lamin sanneh. Feminist theology from the third world divinity school. The bible, gender equality and teaching theology in malawi. The hearth of the matter, in the future of liberation theology. Whilst the significance of theological education in africa is acknowledged, feminist scholars have identified several challenges that women pursuing theological studies and theological educators encounter. Feminist liberation theology a contextual option by denise ackermann from journal of theology for southern africa, 1988, no.
This article will, after introductory remarks on the background to feminist theology, deal briefly with its main trends. A motswana feminist theological reflection on women and social transformation, boleswa occasional papers on theology and religion 1. An african womens theological analysis of a development. This companion offers an introduction to the history and characteristics of liberation theology in its various forms in different parts of the world. Women are the subject of many questions and controversies in. Women religious and christian feminism by jill robson the following text is the result of several conversations and a continuing dialogue between two women friends, one a lay person and the other a religious sister. Enhancing theological education for women in africa. A comparison and contrast of womanist and feminist. Generally speaking, the african womens movement has been strongly influenced and shaped by the activism against colonial rule and racist ideologies. Woman in south africa have historically faced a myriad of statefacilitated and sociallypracticed discrimination including pay discrimination.
This chapter examines challenges facing south african feminist activism in the face of state feminism and the backlash against feminism in the public sphere. A womanist is a black feminist or feminist of color, who is committed to the wholeness and wellbeing of all of humanity. Christian feminist theology christianitys encounter with feminism might be one of the most significant revolutions ever to happen within the christian tradition, rivaling the impact of the early councils or the reformation in its implications for the future of christian belief and practice. Students are also encouraged to contact the university of fort hare and the university of zululand for more information on feminism in south africa.
All africa conference of churches to increase womens chances in theological education, hence ensuring equal participation of women and men in church leadership. Postcolonial african feminism is viewed to be the era when, largely inspired by black and third world feminisms elsewhere, small groups of african women start labelling themselves feminist. Feminist theology and islam is also used to strengthen the spiritual connection to the women of islam when they undergo severe trauma, to promote human rights especially those of women. Theology dissertations and theses theology, department of. Introduction the history and development of feminist theologies in africa methods and features of feminist theologies in africa problems with, and pos. Journal of constructive theology gender, religion and theology in africa journal of the centre for constructive theology centre for constructive theology co school of religion and theology university of kwazulunatal room 212, second floor, new arts building, golf road campus pietermaritzburg, kwazulunatal, south africa. By sunelle stander thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree master of theology at stellenbosch university supervisor. Feminist theology is a contemporary form of theology whose focus is to reflect on god from a feminist perspective. Keywords african women theologians, feminist hermeneutics, all africa conference of churches, theological education context analysis the struggle to engender theology has been long. A critical study of the challenges and the contributions of third world feminist theologians to the theological discipline. In addition, there is selflessness which women in society are still expected to perform. Mercy amba oduyoye, mother of african feminist theology, is one of these inspiring models. Mercy amba oduyoye and african womens theology jstor. Analyzing emerging themes and issues in afrian, latin american, and asian feminist theology.
The feminist liberation theologians network fltn is a project of water, encompassing colleagues from all over the world. Throughout an effort has been made to illustrate how african culture and the multireligious context has influenced christian womens selection of theological issues. It links developments in curriculum and pedagogy to the theoretical and political changes that occurred within feminist thought and practice during that period. The second approach is to look at the bible as a whole for a theological perspective offering a critique of. African womens theologies belong to a wider family of feminist theology, which is further categorised as liberation theology. Feminist hermeneutics also challenges patriarchal interpretations of the bible and finds ways for the bible to be empowering to women. Theological perspective on mutual solidarity in the context of globalization. Her feminist theology of praxis was used as methodological point of departure. Postcolonial perspectives in african biblical interpretations edited by musa w.