Answer to Question #170082 in Sociology for Aluah

Question

The church is a major social institution in Africa. Analyse four (4) ways in which the church perpetuate culturally constructed gender inequalities and explain how these could be addressed.

 

Answer 1

The church is as social institution whose effect cuts across literally all cohorts of life. It's role in perpetuating culturally constructed gender inequalities is quite vivid. The church tends to stress on reproductive Rights of women particularly abortion rights where the church is totally against abortion. Intruding into the female reproductive rights contributes to gender inequality and more oppression in the society. The church/bible is also seen to promote male dominance which has been used in the society to create gender inequality. The man is seen as tough, strong and intelligent compared to the counterpart, the females. They are seen as weak and just mere dependants on the male gender. The church is also seen not to interfere with the society stereotypes and believes that oppress women in it's belief of respecting culture. The church recognizes and upholds the man as the source of unopposed power. This has made it difficult for females to air their voices especially concerning issues of injustice oppression.

Fighting gender equality is not an easy undertaking. The females require to be empowered to be in a position of self dependence and this shall help fight male dominance that has been imposed on them for a long time.

The society needs to be sensitized on the importance of respecting female reproductive Rights and the health implications they have on the females.

The society also requires to be sensitized on the importance of treating females as equals.

The church should particularly participate in the fight against gender inequality because their influence shall go a long way in bringing equality in issues of gender.