Women, Religion and Leadership in Zimbabwe, Volume 1

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. Chapter 1. Introduction: Women, Religion and Leadership in Zimbabwe

   Molly Manyonganise, Ezra Chitando, Sophia Chirongoma

   Abstract

   Locating the theme of women’s leadership within faith communities and within the larger discourse on women’s leadership more generally, this chapter outlines the motivation behind this volume. It begins by appealing to Indigenous Knowledge Systems, particularly proverbs, to open space for women’s leadership in Zimbabwe. Having explored Shona and Ndebele proverbs that celebrate the centrality of women, the chapter outlines the objectives of the volume. These relate to identifying the extent to which religion promotes or impedes women’s leadership within faith communities and beyond, as well as to mobilise male scholars and activists to partner with women to advance women’s leadership. The chapter reflects on some of the major issues that have framed reflections on religion and women’s leadership, as well as highlights the influence of the methodology of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians (the Circle) on the theoretical framework guiding this volume. It also summarises the various chapters in the volume.

3. Zimbabwean Women’s Leadership in Ecological Stewardship

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Chapter 2. Theorising African Women’s Leadership: An Overview

      Ezra Chitando

      Abstract

      Numerous books, journal articles, chapters in books, policy briefs and diverse other forms of literature have been produced on leadership. Leadership has emerged as a distinctive area of study in its own right, attracting the interest of academics and activists of various persuasions. This chapter focuses on African women’s leadership in the context of global studies on leadership. It draws attention to the key issues in the study of African women’s leadership, highlighting the impediments to African women’s leadership and the main theories in African women’s leadership. In particular, the chapter summarises the reflections on Ubuntu and African women’s leadership. It also describes some of the key areas where African women have exercised leadership, illustrating some of the emerging areas. Overall, the chapter summarises the major themes in African women’s leadership, thereby culling the context within which the current volume is located.

   3. Chapter 3. The Leadership of Ndau Women in Healing the Earth Utilising Religio-Cultural Resources: An African Ecofeminist Perspective

      Tenson Muyambo

      Abstract

      The thesis of this chapter is that women in general and Zimbabwean women in particular, exercise leadership in nurturing and clothing the Earth, which is usually referred to as Mother Earth. The proliferation of women marginalisation and exploitation in the social, economic, religious and geopolitical milieus in the world can be equated to the exploitation of the Earth. This scenario has left a trail of destruction to the Earth in the form of deforestation, veld fires and emission of dangerous gases into the atmosphere just to mention a few. When this happens, the people who are hardest hit are women and children. In any case, it is mostly men who engage in the above activities that leave the Earth not only vulnerable but unsupportive of human life. Yet it is God’s plan to create a world where both humanity and nature can live in a community of responsibility and freedom (Russell in Household of Freedom: Authority in Feminist Theology. Westminster Press, 1987). Using the oikos and ecofeminist theologies, the chapter analyses how Zimbabwean women continue to lead and actively engage in healing the Earth utilising religio-cultural resources. The chapter adopts a qualitative research design where key informant interviews, focus group discussion and observation are utilised to gather data. The collected data is analysed using the constant comparative analytic technique where data is qualitatively compared from various sources for purposes of developing categories and looking for patterns among the categories. One of the major findings of this study is that while women are keenly aware of the effects of their activities on other forms of nature, they cannot help it since they are not key decision-makers in their communities. Although there is available literature on taboos as a resource for nature conservation, the silence of this literature on who are the custodians and implementers of the taboos is baffling. Deep-seated patriarchal practices stereotype women as second-class citizens with no decision-making power. The overall objective of this chapter is to promote environmental awareness and active engagement through women’s agency.

   4. Chapter 4. Affirming Positive Femininities Through Responsible Ecological Leadership and Stewardship in Rural Masvingo, Zimbabwe

      Amos Muyambo

      Abstract

      Like other countries, Zimbabwe is experiencing the effects of a heart-wrenching global environmental crisis. Even though the African continent contributes the least to the carbon footprint, unfortunately, it is bearing the brunt of burden of the ecological crisis. Africa is endowed with a rich diversity in religio-cultural traditions, rituals, ceremonies and practices that define the African people. The environment lies at the core of the African people’s identity. Since African women are disproportionately affected by the ecological crisis, this chapter sets out to explore women’s leadership and contribution towards ecological conservation with particular reference to African Indigenous Churches (AICs) in Zimbabwe. Cognisant of the fact that most African women continue to be marginalised in their patriarchal communities, the chapter focuses on chronicling how these oft-unsung heroines have contributed tremendously to the restructuring and conservation of Zimbabwean society. For several years, Zimbabwe has been battling with economic decline, coupled with rising inflation and poverty. This economic turmoil has a huge bearing on the people, which consequently impinges on how the people interact with their bionetwork. It is against this backdrop that this chapter focuses on the role of women in ecological stewardship. The chapter lays bare how mass greening efforts are being led by the majority of women in the rural communities of Zimbabwe. The chapter also discusses how the African resources such as culture, poetry, storytelling, rituals and ceremonies have been used in ecological stewardship, especially by women who are the vanguards of religion and culture. An outline of the environmental challenges currently confronting the African continent, particularly the nation of Zimbabwe, will be made. Since the majority of AIC members in Zimbabwe are women, the chapter seeks to elucidate ways in which the women are tapping into the religio-cultural resources to exercise environmental stewardship. The first part of the chapter discusses the global ecological crisis, highlighting how the African continent is in the throes of the ecological crisis. Using the AICs in Zimbabwe as a case study, the chapter then proceeds to explain how African women’s leadership and positive contribution to stemming the tide of the ecological crisis are an affirmation of positive femininities.

   5. Chapter 5. Zimbabwean Women’s Leadership and Religio-Cultural Resources in Navigating Risk and Disaster Management: Some Lessons from Cyclone Idai

      Mazvita Machinga

      Abstract

      In 2019, Cyclone Idai wreaked havoc on the lives of many people in Zimbabwe, especially in Chimanimani and Chipinge. Natural disasters and humanitarian crises such as Cyclone Idai can overwhelm and devastate entire communities. Communities are left devastated and helpless, having little access to life's necessities, such as food, clean water, shelter, and basic services. This was the case with the Cyclone Idai catastrophe and other natural disasters that have occurred in Zimbabwe. This brings to the fore the importance for communities to have effective leadership and disaster risk reduction policies and strategies, to reduce existing disaster risks, and manage residual risks. While both men and women are impacted by these natural disasters, this chapter reflects upon the impact on women and the leadership role that women play in navigating disaster risks. I also highlight lessons learnt from Cyclone Idai and how these lessons can be used to contribute to the strengthening of resilience and reduction of losses when disaster happens. The chapter also seeks to respond to the following question, “What leadership lessons can be drawn from Cyclone Idai in terms of navigating risks and disaster management?” Information presented in this chapter was gathered during a series of collaboratively shared trauma healing and recovery workshops held in Chimanimani and Chipinge. The collaborative discussions and “constructive feedback” between the participants and facilitators, led to the identification of the various roles that women can play. The workshops served well as an avenue for meeting the participants in order to elicit rich information. From all the workshop deliberations and data collected, women came out as important leaders and agents of protecting communities from the impact of natural disasters. The impetus to write this chapter comes from my passion for the inclusion and involvement of women in navigating risks and managing disasters. This chapter highlights the unique role that women can play, looking at what happened during and after the devastation caused by Cyclone Idai. I will also discuss how socio-cultural norms and role behaviors impact women’s responses toward natural disasters.

   6. Chapter 6. Towards Attaining the Sustainable Development Goals in Zimbabwe: Christian Women’s Leadership in Gwanda District

      Susan S. Dube, Sibiziwe Shumba

      Abstract

      As we draw closer to the year 2030, it is pertinent that the discussion on Agenda 2030 be revisited particularly in light of the inherent gender discourse in Zimbabwe. In 2015, the United Nations member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The goals were designed to serve as a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs are also tailored to address the prevailing environmental, political and economic challenges in our global village. The government of Zimbabwe is also making some strides towards the implementation and achievement of the SDGs. Out of the 17 SDGs, the Zimbabwean government has prioritised 10 and these are SDGs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 17. The prioritisation exercise was guided by the country's vision, the need to focus on enabling goals and resource availability. Using Gwanda district as a case study, the main purpose of this chapter is to examine the contribution of Zimbabwean Christian women in achieving the SDGs as well as to explore the challenges and opportunities that they are facing. Since Christianity has such a broad membership in Zimbabwe, Christian women have been chosen in order to show how religion and culture impact the achievement of the goals. A qualitative research design was used. The purposive sampling method was used to sample the research participants. Interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) were used as the research instruments for collecting data. The first part of the chapter focuses on the background of SDGs and strategies that have been adopted by the Zimbabwean government to achieve the goals. The next segment of the chapter brings to the fore the biblical perspectives on women and the roles played by Christian women in attaining the aforementioned goals. This part of the chapter shows how the above chosen goals interconnect. The last section of the chapter focuses on the challenges and opportunities for Christian women in Gwanda district pertaining their contribution towards the attainment of the SGDs in Zimbabwe. Conclusions will then be drawn to show the explicit roles that Christian women in Zimbabwe play and the challenges they face under the difficult economic conditions prevailing in the country.

4. Religio-Cultural Factors Impacting Women’s Leadership Roles in Zimbabwe

   1. Frontmatter

   2. Chapter 7. Gender Discrepancies in Zimbabwean Religio-Cultural and Political Leadership: A Case Study of Young Christian Women in the Midlands Province

      Sophia Chirongoma, Mpumelelo Moyo

      Abstract

      The exclusion of women, particularly young women from key leadership and decision-making forums in almost every structure of society remains an elusive topic in academic discourses. This chapter seeks to address this lacuna in scholarly literature by interrogating the factors and forces precipitating young Zimbabwean women’s exclusion from leadership in political, religio-cultural and decision-making forums. The study’s vantage point is the Zimbabwean National Gender Policy (NGP) 2013–2017 whose central aim is “to achieve a gender just society where men and women enjoy equality and equity and participate as equal partners in the development process of the country.” This is summed up in the NGP’s goal, “to eradicate gender discrimination and inequalities in all spheres of life and development.” Reflecting on the field research conducted in the Midlands province between July and December 2018, the present study contends that the NGP’s policy goals are still far from being achieved. Undertaking this study was also stirred by the fact that although there is a vast amount of literature on the inclusion or omission of women from leadership positions in general (Fletcher, The Leadership Quarterly 15:647–661, 2004; Elliott and Stead, Women’s leadership, Palgrave Macmillan, 2009; Nkomo and Ngambi, International Journal of African Renaissance Studies 4:49–68, 2009; Zungura 2013; Maphosa et.al 2015; Mhlanga, 2016), however, it appears as if there is a missing gap in interrogating specific factors hindering young women’s participation in leadership. The study therefore seeks to establish the role of young Christian women (18–30 years old) in leadership. It is a qualitative study involving interviews with young Christian women, students at academic institutions, employed and unemployed youth. The main focus of the interviews was anchored on establishing the extent to which young Christian women are participating in leadership hierarchies within the academic, economic, religious, cultural and political institutions. Particular attention was paid to the factors obstructing young Christian women from taking up key and influential leadership positions in churches, communities and political and economic arenas. The study’s overall theoretical framework is Africana womanism, emphasizing African women as agents, not subjects of history. It concludes by advocating for the transformation of policies, values and norms in an endeavour to accommodate, embrace and encourage young Christian women to take up key leadership and decision-making positions. This conclusion is informed by the fact that barring young Christian women from leadership and decision-making positions is detrimental to the development of our churches, communities, academic, political and economic sectors.

   3. Chapter 8. Of Women’s Leadership in African Indigenous Spirituality: A Focus on the Ndau of South Eastern Zimbabwe

      Macloud Sipeyiye, Elijah Elijah Ngoweni Dube

      Abstract

      Religion in general and indigenous religions in particular are often criticized for denying women access to leadership or decision-making positions. From a gender perspective, this has been so because world-over, societies are predominantly patriarchal in nature, and religions emerge from such socio-religio and cultural settings. Men place themselves in influential positions where they employ strict gatekeeping strategies that cripple women’s efforts to rise above their circumstances. To talk about women’s leadership in African Indigenous Spiritualities (AISs) against this background, therefore, appears to be to talk about the unimaginable. In this chapter, we intend to revisit this subject of women’s leadership in AISs through the Africana womanist lenses, a theory propounded by (Hudson-Weems, Africana Womanist Literary Theory: A Sequel to Africana Womanism-Reclaiming Ourselves, Africa World Press, 2004). Our argument is that women’s leadership in AISs has not been critically explored. It is our submission that even though women in AISs would rarely occupy public leadership positions themselves, the brains behind the decision-making processes often emanate from them. So, what this means is that women in African societies rule by pulling strings behind the curtains, but when called upon or when circumstances dictated they would rise to the occasion and perform public leadership roles. In this regard, men are leaders by proxy as they execute ideas from women. Women wield power and influence that direct the course of events presided over by men. In this chapter, we explore the covert and overt means of women’s exercising of leadership in AISs. We cast this discourse in the context of the ethos behind Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 in line with the SDG Goal Number 5 that emphasizes gender equality and the inclusion of women in all leadership structures. Our chapter is both theoretical and empirical, as such we did some fieldwork and also engaged with available literature on women, power, and leadership in AISs. We will make reference to some African communities in sub-Saharan Africa, but special reference will be made to the Ndau people of south eastern Zimbabwe. The rationale for this approach lies in the understanding that AISs are not monolithic but they evince a cacophony of variations.

   4. Chapter 9. Shona Women’s Leadership in Traditional Healing

      Bernard Pindukai Humbe

      Abstract

      This chapter seeks to illustrate the understated leadership role of Zimbabwean women in traditional healing. The main argument raised herein is that the process of colonization, which subordinated African women, was a process of disempowerment. In a bid to examine Zimbabwean women’s social standing, this chapter explores the visibility of rural Shona women in traditional healing practices. The World Medicines Situation 2011 report (Sabe et al. in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 17: 1–16, 2017) estimates that between 70 and 95% of the population in developing countries use traditional medicine, while in Africa, the population which uses traditional medicine is more than 80%. There is a deep-rooted cultural thrust toward traditional healing among indigenous Africans. Drawing examples from Zimbabwe, the researcher used phenomenology of religion and cultural memory to consider traditional healing practices, rituals and places where the healing rituals are performed (houses of healing, sacred space, spiritual practice) as a gendered practice or work. The researcher argues that in healing, the indigenous Shona women work out their own religiosity with the social and religious systems. Since healing has left a direct effect on the personality of the indigenous Shona women healers, the very essence of healing practices is a cultural expression of Shona spirituality. In conclusion, the chapter argues that the traditional healing of the Shona women contributes toward Zimbabwe’s national treasure. This treasure is enshrined in beliefs, values, medicine and vernacular knowledge. The traditional healing is not contrary to modern healing knowledge, but rather is a kind of complement to it (Maghsudi in Iran & the Caucasus 11(1): 1–9, 2007). An affirmation of Shona women’s contribution toward health and well-being through traditional healing might be viewed as a re-empowerment opportunity to rebuild and revive indigenous women’s spiritual and cultural practices (Fredericks in Signs 35: 545–550, 548, 2010).

5. Backmatter