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 Periodical article |
 Leiden University catalogue |
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| Title: | Gender based violence: a pastoral challenge for the Church in Africa |
| Authors: | Mwaura, Philomena Njeri Kimani, Elishiba |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Periodical: | Orita: Ibadan Journal of Religious Studies (ISSN 0030-5596) |
| Volume: | 41 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pages: | 25-42 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Africa |
| Subjects: | women gender inequality violence Church |
| Abstract: | Gender-based violence is often a display of male power which manifests itself in various forms. Today, all over Africa, violence directed against women is pervasive. This paper focuses on violence against women and girls and explores its root causes and manifestations, including sexual violence, cultural violence - traditional practices which discriminate against women, such as female genital cutting, widow inheritance, food taboos, oral literature which portrays women as subordinate to men, and bride wealth; and economic violence, related to women's access to and control of resources at the family and national level. The paper also pays attention to the reasons why women remain in abusive relationships (fear and economic dependency) and the consequences of violence against women. Violence against women is also present in the Church, sometimes reinforced by uncritical reading and observance of biblical texts. The Church has unwittingly caused the prevalence of violence against women through its silence. In conclusion, the paper looks at ways in which the Church can help to overcome violence against women through spiritual and ethical responses. Bibliogr. [ASC Leiden abstract] |