Religion, Women’s Health Rights, and Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe: Volume 1

Description

This volume brings to the fore the interface of religion, women’s sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Zimbabwe. It emphasizes that empowering African women is a pivotal pillar for attaining sustainable development. Contributors discuss the need for implementing structural changes as a prerequisite for social progress and development to occur in Southern Africa. They interrogate the extent to which religious beliefs and practices either promote or impede women’s SRHR. The contributors also proffer several ways in which addressing the themes of health for all and equality for all women and girls can make a meaningful contribution towards the fulfillment of the goals set for Agenda 2030.   Praise for Religion, Women’s Health Rights, and Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe: Volume 1 Contents Notes on Contributors Chapter 1: Religion, Women’s Health Rights and Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe Introduction Religion, Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe A Double-Edged Sword? Religion, Culture and African/Zimbabwean Women’s Health Rights Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Women’s Maternal Health Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Other Barriers to Women’s SRHR Conclusion References Part I: Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Women’s Maternal Health Chapter 2: A Postcolonial Reflection on Indigenous Knowledge Systems-Based Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare: A Case of the Ndau Women in Zimbabwe Introduction Postcolonial African Feminism as the Theoretical Framing for Understanding the Ndau Women of South-Eastern Zimbabwe Research Methodology Indigenous Knowledge Systems-Based Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Rationale for Promoting IKS-Based Sexual Reproductive Health Ndau Women and IKS-Based Sexual Reproductive Health: A Special Focus on Maternal Healthcare Value Proposition of IKS-Based SRH Recommendations Conclusion Bibliography Personal Interviews Chapter 3: Exploring Ndau Women’s Ecological Wisdom on Managing Pregnancy and Childbirth Introduction Methodological Issues Theoretical Framework Pregnancy and Context of Childbirth in Rural Communities Challenges in Accessing Modern Healthcare Services for Ndau Rural Women Wisdom in the Context of Ndau Ecology The Ndau and Traditional Medical Practice Ndau Women’s Wisdom in Pregnancy Management Using Traditional Medicine A Snippet of the Preparation for Childbirth (kunasira njira) Process Conclusion References Chapter 4: The Interface of Human Rights and Ndau Women’s Maternal Healthcare Rites Introduction Background Theoretical Framework Methods for Data Collection Ndau Indigenous Beliefs on Maternal Health: Marriage and Childbearing Marriage Pregnancy and Childbearing Prenatal and Postnatal Rituals Precautionary and Purificatory Rituals Birth Canal Dilation Rituals Foetal Sex-Changing Ritual Postpartum Rituals Western Origin of Human Rights Third Generation of Human Rights: The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Zimbabwe Declaration of Rights Points of Divergence Between the Human Rights Statutes and the Ndau Maternal Health Beliefs and Practices Points of Convergence Between Ndau Maternal Health Beliefs and Practices and Human Rights Statutes Conclusion References Chapter 5: Mhani Vekusveka: Foregrounding Shangaan Women’s Role in Nurturing Life with a Special Focus on Traditional Maternal Health Practices in Zaka District, Zimbabwe Introduction A Brief Literature Review on Gender Disparities Affecting the Shangaan Women in Zimbabwe Population, Study Setting, Sampling and Data Collection Socio-cultural Theoretical Framework Prenatal Stage Traditional Taboos Related to Pregnancy Traditional Medicines Used at Different Stages of Delivery Traditional Medications Used During Pregnancy Antenatal Perineal Massaging Or Birth Canal Massaging After Birth (the Postpartum Stage) Caring for the New Born Preferring a Home Delivery Compared to Delivering in a Bio-medical Setting Labour in the Warm Smoke-Filled Mother’s Kitchen Unaffordable Hospital Bills Appraising Shangaan Women’s Agency in Perpetuating Lives Complementarity Between Shangaan Men and Women Recommendations Conclusion References Internet Sources Part II: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Other Barriers to Women’s SRHR Chapter 6: Pouring Ashes on Our Faces? An African Womanist Perspective on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Zimbabwe Introduction The Background Demanding Accountability from Female Leaders Critiquing the Interface Between Politics, Religion and Violence Against Women The Colonial Laws, Masculinity and Violence Role of Human Rights Watchdogs: An Appraisal Analysis: Towards a Re-construction Paradigm Conclusion References Chapter 7: Sexual and Reproductive Health Challenges Encountered by Female Learners and Female Staff at an Institution of Higher Learning in Zimbabwe Introduction Method Results and Discussion Challenges Faced by Female Staff and Students Indecent Assault Revenge Pornography Demand for Sexual Favours in Exchange for Good Grades Forced Sexual Intercourse in Marriage Forced Pregnancy During the Course of the Academic Programme Denial of Access to Family Planning Services Restriction on Paid Maternity Leave Economic Hardships Sexual Orientation Conclusion and Recommendations References Chapter 8: Religio-cultural Standpoints Hindering Adolescent and Young Women’s Access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Zimbabwe Introduction Background and Motivation for the Study Methodology Theoretical Framework Brief Historical Background of the TSAC Brief Historical Background of the JMAC Religio-cultural Standpoints Hindering Adolescent and Young Women’s Access to SRHR in the African Apostolic Indigenous Churches (AAICs) Marriage and Preservation of Virginity Omniscience of the Holy Spirit Not Going to the Hospital Results and Findings of the Research Reproductive Health and Rights Stigmatisation of the Loss of Virginity Preserving Virginity: A Measure for Protecting AAIC Men from HIV Infection? Conclusion References Chapter 9: Omasihlalisane: A Feminist Pastoral Response to the Plight of Young Zimbabwean Women Migrants Entrapped in Survivalist Marriages in South Africa Introduction The Sustainable Livelihood Framework and Methodological Considerations Participants’ Profile Impact of Survivalist Marriages on Young Migrant Women’s Livelihoods Livelihoods Available to Young Women in Omasihlalisane Marriages Human Capital Social Capital Financial Capital Omasihlalisane Marriages and Access to Livelihood Assets A Contextual Pastoral Response to Survivalist Marriages and Sustainable Livelihoods Conclusion References Chapter 10: Religio-Cultural Norms Constraining Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for Widows in Zimbabwe Introduction Widowhood in Africa Widowhood in Zimbabwe Research Methodology Research Journey Step One: Telling the Story Step Two: Externalising Conversations Step Three: Deconstructing Cultural Discourse Step Four: Reporting the Research Narrative Approach Martha’s Story Mary’s story Religio-Cultural Norms as Barriers Towards Widows’ Access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Pastoral Care and Therapy Seeds of Hope Conclusion References Index