Description: 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.
Brief description: Elia Shabani Mligo (PhD, University of Oslo, Norway) is Senior Lecturer in Research, Philosophy, and Religious Studies at Tumaini University Makumira, Mbeya Center in Tanzania. He is the author of many books and articles on contextual theology and research. Some of his books include Jesus and the Stigmatized (2011), Writing Academic Papers (2012), Doing Effective Fieldwork (2013), Elements of African Traditional Religion (2013), Symbolic Interactionism in the Gospel According to John (2014), and He Descended into Hell (2015).
Review Quotes: "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