Week 2: Masculinities and religious and cultural norms

[thayobanda9]

Hi every one in here BANDA THAYO thought to share with you this research done by Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) on this week topic.

This study focuses on the intersection of masculinities, gender-based violence (GBV), and African Christianity. It is based on qualitative research done in the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) and is presented in aance with the seven movements an African postfoundational practical theology. After GBV was identified as a global public health concern and human rights issue, numerous humanitarian initiatives aimed at “transforming masculinities” were launched. These initiatives strongly recommend the involvement of men in the dismantling of patriarchy and gender inequality, which are generally considered the cause of GBV. Zambia, who proudly identifies as an official Christian nation, has been ranked as one of the countries with the highest number of GBV cases. Due to Zambia’s Christian identity, the agency of churches has also been recognised in the fight against GBV. Masculinity has become a popular topic in sermons and promoting certain forms of manhood and expressions of masculinity have become part of many churches’ ministry. This is also the case in the RCZ – a denomination that started out as a mission station in eastern North Rhodesia and has developed into a recognised denomination in Zambia. Following the narrative and ethnographic research methods, and with lived religion and intersectionality as hermeneutical lenses, this study explores the question: How are masculinities lived and experienced in the Zambian church in a time of GBV and HIV? While researching this question, it became apparent that male dominance and male fragility are in a reciprocal cycle, the one continually reinforcing the other, and this cycle became a heuristic key throughout this study. This study offers an in-context descriptive account of the lived experiences and faith practices in the RCZ and broader Zambian context. Following inductive reasoning, this thesis begins with a description of the context before placing the findings in conversation with the larger bodies of scholarship. The description and analysis of empirical involvement is preceded by a historical narrative and a present-day narrative which based on the researcher’s fieldwork. The dialogical self theory – which argues that each person represents a number of I-positions that are in dialogue with one another – was incorporated in the analysis of the empirical data. After grouping similar I-positions together, four main storylines were identified, namely religious normativity, cultural normativity, the male dominance-male fragility cycle, and creative (re)interpretations of masculinity. Following a transversal hermeneutic, these findings were brought into conversation with Michel Foucault (who defines sex and sexuality in terms of bio-power), Judith Butler (who conceptualised the theory of gender performativity), and Raewyn Connell (who conceptualised the theory of hegemonic masculinity). Each scholar’s perspective expanded (or “complexified”) the insights on gender, sexuality, masculinities, GBV, and African Christianity which were collected in the field. In the concluding chapter of this project, the dominant narrative (the reality of GBV) and the four main storylines are revisited – this time with new insights. While discussing these storylines, some tensions (or discrepancies) are highlighted, and true to the postfoundational approach, each tension is countered with an alternative (or disruptive) narrative. Countering the main storylines with a disruptive narrative could be seen as part of the process of imagining alternative interpretations of being a man in Zambia in a time of GBV. Disruptive narratives are technologies of resistance directed toward an oppressive system with the aim to inspire true transformation of masculinities in the Zambian context. In a time of GBV, these disruptive narratives focus on recognising the dangers of forced heteronormativity and male dominance, it encourages embracing the power of vulnerability, and it challenges churches to rethink theological positions when it comes to gender equality and the fight against GBV.
I SUBMIT THANKS

[Eraston]

Very interesting and I have learnt more things here

[Dominic01]

1. Cultural norms are expectations or rules of behavior and thoughts based on shared beliefs within a specific cultural or social group.

•In Zambia communities,women are expected to be obedient to their men and also not to challenge or to disagree with their views.

On the other side men are expected to support their families financially by ensuring provision of family needs such as food.

Zambia some Christians may have opposite views on households roles but they all believe that both men and women are all valuable to God,

2. most zambia communities consider men are head of the households hence to provide e living, this is harmful to coming generations bacause boys being raised under this beliefs will see women are not equal to them .

Still at some point some men are doing works meant for women and women same.

3. To advocate for men to be more involved in sharing responsibilities equally we should…
   Make men understand that each one equal and gender can not tell one can do this ,one can not tho that ,by giving them examples of women who have done it in life no matter their gender reveal ideas.

Challenge negative masculinities in wich it’s most extreme form is discrimination ,violence towards the feminine ,this manifests itself mostly at home,at work in public spaces and also in schools
Educate Society that it has to include each one in the society ( by considering all gender) no matter is one has less power in order to progress

Be against all forms of discrimination and abuse ,and then help to create a new type of man by addressing men’s fear and resistance.

Support girls in taking the lead as we promote girls and women’s leadership to achieve peaceful and sustainable world.

Gift Dominic Banda Zambia

[Tanza]

The religious and cultural norms regarding men and women’s roles,were,at a certain point,caused by physiological aspect of women going in their periods.

Ancient people were reasonable enough to protect women in the,or nearing MENSTRUATION period by barring them from numerous activities,lest the bood might be seen,as women are too shy to this.

At that time people wore animals’ skin and latter tatters,no underwear and pants,so it was too easy for blood droppings before the presence of other people.

In a church women(sisters and nuns)in their whites,were not allowed to the altar,fearing of what might happen!

At homes,during or nearing the periods women were prohibited from picking fruits ,as trees would dried up,and not allowed to go for herbs,as they wouldn’t cure anybody,etc,but all to guide them,because if they jumped for fruits or bending for herbs,could cause them running of…

Thanks to the modernisation,now we have saditary napkins for women to keep them safe and clean,and now women themselves have proper understanding of why periods happen,Primary and Secondary schools have sensitisation programs for girl students of 9-14+ years of age,that now the myths sorrounded menstruation are almost over.
in my country Tanzania now,for example,we have women pastors in ELCT church and Catholics nuns give some service like communion before the altar

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

Hello everyone

Week 2 continues.

We are halfway through Week 2 of our discussion.

As we are sharing how things are in our own communities with regards religious and traditional norms, also comment on what our resource person @⁨Mr Somed Shahadu⁩ has written about boys’ upbringing which has an adverse effect when they grow up to be men.

For those that have just joined us, please start by introducing yourself in Week 1: Introductions and understanding of positive masculinities, tell us your understanding of positive masculinities and then contribute in this week’s topic by responding to these questions:

1. What are the religious and cultural norms regarding men and women’s roles (household, community) in your region?

2. What are some stereotypes coming from these roles, and how can they be harmful to individuals and communities? (Try to emphasize men and boys)

3. How can we advocate for men to be more involved in sharing (unpaid) care responsibilities more equally? (e.g. domestic duties including raising children from birth)

Thank you to all who have contributed and shared experiences and how things are in their regions. I can see a lot of similarities in our African countries, the difference could be on how serious each region still values the cultural and religious norms.

I would like bring your attention to a space where you can share resources on positive masculinities. This can help us as seemingly for most of us, this is a new subject. I have shared a resource from Farm Radio International.

Positive masculinities resources

[nachibbatuchipo85]

Afternoon,to my understanding masculinitylies and religious and cultural norms is

''Religion and Gender"

The introduction to this special issue suggests to theoretical approach which is sensitive to culture by drawing on a phenomenological understanding of culture that is based on knowledge and meaning production and sense making.

At first sight,this may not sound convincing because"Culture"is a category that is most notably used in combination with religion and Gender in culturalist way.

[somedshahadu]

Hi Friends,

It’s Somed again. I would like to touch on the issue of traditional upbringing of boys to become ‘breadwinner’ , ‘husband’, leader, etc. Boys are trained to be aggressive, and are ofetn under social pressure to prove their masculinity by living up to some unrealistic expectations.

In conflic prone areas, boys are trained to be ‘warriors’ and fearless. This characters have become obsolete and counter-productive model, because it is inconsistent with the needs and social realities of boys and men in the 21st century.

I would like to hear what you think.
Somed.
@Kebby @Busi_Ngcebetsha @Angie @Eraston @Rosemond9600

[Rosemond9600]

Not only aggressive Somed my friend, but some Of the younger boys are chose to work and cater for the family especially when their Father Dies. And it become mandatory for them. Whiles the uncle is not bothered.

[Mailaprid]

1. What are the religious and cultural norms regarding men and women’s roles in your region.

• To begin with, there are various religious norms that have been put almost in each religion that drive inequalities between men and women. For example in some churches, men and women have been each assigned a particular role that might not be done by another sex. For example in some churches, a woman can not preach or stand on the pulpit t preach.

Secondly there are also some cultural norms mostly ascribed to each traditional that hinder gender equality. For example in the olden culture of tongas in the southern part of Zambia, men and boys were groomed as headers and leaders and women mostly were found in the kitchen and other chores. However with the change of times, some of these traditions have been disappearing slowly and it cause for consented efforts by both men. And women to completely eradicate such practices.

2. What are some stereotypes coming from these roles and how can they be harmful to individuals and communities.

• some of the stereotypes attributed to these norms is are that they bring about negative masculinity where men think they are the only ones that can perform certain tasks.

3. How can we advocate for men to be more involved in sharing care responsibilities more equally

• Advocating for this change will call about consented efforts from all spheres of life. For example traditional leaders such as chiefs and headmen should be educated on issues to do with gender equality and also assisted with the resource capacity.

Furthermore, churches and schools should not be left out in this fight against gender inequality…

[Angie]

This so educative, if the community and all church mother bodies will venture into such research the problem will be sorted out faster.

[MAYBIN]

RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL NORMS

In my Church, Catholic, women are not allowed to serve as priests instead the can only serve as nuns. These nuns are not allowed to preach. Infact the nuns are supposed to be submissive to the priests hence this situation has been put in a position which makes them vulnerable to any sort of abuse. When it comes to our cultural norms women are not allowed to own land instead need to depend on the land of her husband. A man is regarded as provider for the family hence once he dies the wife suffers because of this dependency on a man syndrome. Some parts of the chicken are preserved for a man and if a woman dares to eat them she might even be granted a divorce.
The stereotypes have only ended up in opresssion and making one gender not enjoy their rights and freedoms. The situation has lead to one gender remain behind in terms of development. For instance our norms which do not allow women and girls to speak before men has continued to hinder this gender to be part of decision making process.
In addressing this problem, it is important for parents of this generation to ensure the share house chores between boys and girls equally by being gender blind. Parents should ensure both gender are given equal opportunities

[Angie]

I agree with you Maybin
And you know these very practice of saying Men are the providers has lead to high rate of deaths to the male counterpart. You find that this man has fathered 12 children and they all depend on one source of income which is the man hence pressure mounting and lead to unnecessary diseases eventually death and after their death the lady now will suffer due to lack of experience in fending for the family. I feel the subject of gender equity and equality be understood by all so that we weed off stress from each other.

The old women are also a problem, especially here in Zambia, they are the ones who are in the forefront counseling young brides to be submissive to their husbands and always be quiet when their husbands are talking. They are also told to be giving the whole chicken except for the trotters and neck to the husband.

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

Hello everyone

This week is quite interesting. I also realise that besides just cultural norms, religion plays a big role as well.

It is really surprising that there are so many similarities in the cultural and religious norms from different countries. Also surprising that there are still countries that believe women cannot preach to men. This is strange as some pointed out most people you will find in church are women. I was even more surprised to hear some of the broadcasters on our WhatsApp group supporting or believing that idea of women not allowed to be in church leadership nor preach to men.

I am looking at the way girls education is not a priority in our countries.

@Pmphaka

In many cultures in Malawi, when a family has fewer resources, and they have to choose whom to send to school between their boy and girl-child, they prefer to send the boy. They believe that the boy child would bring a better return on their investment since the boy will remain in the village (patriarchial system) and support his parents when they get old instead of the girl child who will get married and go to live with her husband away from her family.

@AnjelinaMkabili

The belief that a girl child can not be sent to school just because she will be married still exist also in Kenya where they think only boy child will be the one to help the family after school something which mostly doesn’t happen.

More is expected of women, seemingly they never live a life of their own, as girls there are norms and rules they have to follow, as married women, they cannot voice out their opinions

@Angie

women are not allowed to head a home, they are supposed to listen quietly when the husband is speaking

@Dominic01

In Zambia communities,women are expected to be obedient to their men and also not to challenge or to disagree with their views.

@Angie

The old women are also a problem, especially here in Zambia, they are the ones who are in the forefront counseling young brides to be submissive to their husbands and always be quiet when their husbands are talking.

There is a need for an intervention but what can be done?

@Dominic01

Educate Society that it has to include each one in the society ( by considering all gender) no matter is one has less power in order to progress

@Mailaprid

traditional leaders such as chiefs and headmen should be educated on issues to do with gender equality and also assisted with the resource capacity.

@MAYBIN

it is important for parents of this generation to ensure the share house chores between boys and girls equally by being gender blind. Parents should ensure both gender are given equal opportunities

We are still expecting to hear from others.

Cheers

[Busi_Ngcebetsha]

@Yondab @Mamsul @Betty @Bintispark @Cornhill @Dave @Esau @Francyn @Gideon @Kebby @Liche @likomenocaleb94 @Max @Naomi @Shatewa @Thandy

We are waiting on you to contribute in this week’s topic. Do not miss the chance to earn a certificate at the end of it all.

[Rosemond9600]

I used to have a farmers association when ever there is a meeting the women are separated from the men simply because they are not the same. And sorry to say; this said group are Muslims so the female farmers were not allowed to share idea during the discussion. So anytime we want to have discussion with them , the women are separated. We realized that and confronted the men . They tried to convince us but my crew and I made them understand the benefits of allowing the women to express themselves. So yes in some communities it is still there. Women are looked down but I think the media is the key to break this. Thank you

[Eraston]

1 Corinthians 14vs 33b As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. 35 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. 36 What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached? (1 Corinthians 14:33b-36; Revised Standard Version [RSV])

In other believes there has been the contention as to whether or not women should be involved in church leadership. Majority of denominations involve women one way or the other but some, especially among the mission churches, they still believe that women has certain role to play in church

[Esau]

Hello everyone,
This is my contribution considering the ongoing topic.

In Tanzania men are considered as family leaders, protector, and final decision maker.
Once a father decide in a family no one could question or even ask.
In most agrarian societies women are only engaged in production level but not on deciding how to use what they’ve produced.
But also women are desciminated in the right of owning properties, in some societies women are not allowed to own any property, even to have share if she lost her husband.
In religious issues, it’s true some religions restrict women’s to perform several activities within the church example being pastor or to lead a mass, although there are other religions which are now empowering women’s to take high positions in their churches.

[Pmphaka]

Hello everybody,

This week’s topic has brought to light the fact that oppression of women is deeply rooted in both culture and religion. We all agree that this blatant oppression, this violation of women’s rights need to be addressed, and it needs to be addressed now. My take is that the majority of women oppressors and violators of women rights do it without knowing that they are perpetuating a human (women) right violation since culture and religion practice or promote them as normal.

As broadcasters, we have a very big role to play. We need to recognise that the demeaning of the women and girls’ folk happens because of different reasons. There are those who do it because everyone around them is doing it and there are those who are doing it because culture or religion demands that they act that way. Our strategy to end this evil should, therefore, be specifically targeted. We need different approaches to dealing with it. One of them is simply AWARENESS. As broadcasters, we need to have programmes that make our listeners aware of the different practices and behaviours that violate women’s and girls’ rights. When people are aware of what needs to be done, a good number of them will oblige.

Another strategy should be aimed at those who defend practices that demean women and girls and violate their rights. The latter is very important but more difficult. It is like fighting in a war, and nobody fights a war without some people getting hurt. Those who feel that they might lose something if the culture or religion changed in favour of women’s and girls’ rights, will fight to the very end to preserve the status quo. Are we ready to stand up to them? If ‘yes’ let us plan to start doing something to that end, beginning on this year’s Women’s Day. Thereafter, let us make everyday Women’s Day in our programming. Remember, it is not always supposed to be a fight or a war, some people simply need information, awareness.

[Mulala]

My name is Mulala, below is the response to the wk 2 questions

1. What are the religious and cultural norms regarding men and women’s roles (household, community) in your region?

√ Men, just as well as Women should lead by example showing Good manners, decency, respect, appropriateness, a decent life, exercising common interests or hobbies to build friendship are all examples of social and moral norms.

2. What are some stereotypes coming from these roles, and how can they be harmful to individuals and communities?
   √ boys must not show emotions in public (crying is a sign of weakness), with so many suicide cases on a rise in Zambia, boys are losing lives to the vice because of bottled up emotions, no support system was to express the hurt one feels for fear of ridicule.

3. How can we advocate for men to be more involved in sharing (unpaid) care responsibilities more equally? (e.g. domestic duties including raising children from birth)
   √ learning skills and participating in chores from a young age, esp. for boys prepares one to be a responsible father and partner and makes the man appreciate and regard the woman as an equal partner.