Digital Logos Edition
Women are the majority in almost every cultural or social group. However, their roles vary in various cultures, religions, and traditions. In some cultures and religions, they are highly honored, while in others they are neglected, oppressed, and segregated. This book examines women’s role in a few selected world religions, namely Christianity, Islam, African Traditional Religion, Hinduism, and Buddhism. It also surveys the concept of patriarchy and the various theoretical perspectives surrounding it. Eventually, this book discusses the concept of ecofeminism and how feminists perceive of the relationship between nature and the oppression of women. The book grapples with the question, “In what way do world religions perceive of women and their role in their teachings and traditions?” This book is important for students and teachers of gender studies, African theology, and Christian theology as a whole.
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“A broad, rich, comprehensive, analytical, and contextualized
critique and contemporary resource on patriarchy, feminism,
theology of African women, the comparative status of women in
African traditional religion . . . as well as ecofeminism and the
sacred. This book provides the opportunity for individual and group
reflection and discussion on these key, relevant, and pertinent
issues not just for the academy but for all those interested in
understanding and promoting the religious and general well-being of
women and of the wider society.”
—Mary N. Getui, Professor of Religious Studies, Catholic University
of Eastern Africa
“This is a helpful introduction to the study of women in major
world religions! An African perspective provides a unique focus to
the presentation. A concluding chapter on ecofeminism is a very
timely contribution in the present climate.”
—Halvor Moxnes, Professor of Theology, University of Oslo
“This book is a must-read for all interested in the global
intersections of gender and religion. . . . Maseno and Mligo fill a
gap in knowledge production by exploring women’s roles and
transformative alternatives within religions in African contexts,
and beyond.”
—Marianne Bjelland Kartzow, Professor of New Testament Studies,
University of Oslo
Loreen Maseno is senior lecturer at the Department of Religion,
Theology and Philosophy at Maseno University in Maseno, Kenya. She
is the author of many articles and books. Two of her books include
Practices in Higher Education in Kenya (2011) and How
Abanyole African Widows Understand Christ (2014).
Elia Shabani Mligo is associate professor at Teofilo Kisanji
University in Mbeya Tanzania. He is the author of many books and
articles. Some of his recent books include: Pastoral Counseling
for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (2018), Cohabitation
among Students in Higher-Learning Institutions in Tanzania
(2018), and Community Secondary Schools in Tanzania
(2018).