Religion, Women’s Health Rights, and Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe: Volume 2 (Sustainable Development Goals Series)

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. Contents Notes on Contributors Chapter 1: Religion, Women’s Health Rights and Sustainable Development in Zimbabwe Introduction Moral and Ethical Dilemmas Inherent Women’s SRHR Needs The Impact of Social Media, Literary Texts and Initiation on Women’s SRHR Needs Conclusion References Part I: Moral and Ethical Dilemmas Inherent to Women’s SRHR Needs Chapter 2: Ethical Reflections on the Effects of Zimbabwe’s Abortion Policy on Young Women’s Reproductive Health and Dignity Introduction Theoretical Framework A Critical Reflection on the Abortion Law in Zimbabwe Reproductive Health Challenges for Women Challenges of Accessing Legal Abortion in Zimbabwe: The Mapingure Case Socio-Religious Perspectives on the Termination of Pregnancy Act Consequences of Enforcing Legal Prohibitions on Abortion Conclusion References Statutes and Conventions Chapter 3: Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Infertility and Women in Zimbabwe Introduction The Shona Family and Heterosexual Marriage Infertility and the Shona Culture in Zimbabwe The Shona Solutions for Infertility Integrating Assisted Reproductive Technologies In Vitro Fertilisation Intra Uterine Insemination Medication and Surgery Conclusion References Chapter 4: Zimbabwean Women’s Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights: Ethical and Moral Implications of the Proposed New Marriage Bill Introduction Background Methodology The Zimbabwe Draft Marriage Bill Definitions Proposed Changes Registration and Validity of Marriages in Zimbabwe Solemnization of Customary Law Marriages Religious Marriages Religious Blessing of Marriages Civil Partnerships and the New Marriage Bill Child Marriage/Marriage for Minors Interpretation of the New Marriage Bill in Light of Women’s SRHR and Related Matters Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Conclusion References Chapter 5: The ‘Small House’ Phenomenon and Its Impact on Zimbabwean Women’s Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Introduction: Deciphering the ‘Small House’ Concept The Pros and Cons of the ‘Small House’ Unions The ‘Small House’ Phenomenon in the Matrix of African Culture The Proposed Marriage Bill Viewed in the Lenses of Gender Relations in the ‘Small House’ Setting Impact of the ‘Small House’ Unions Conclusion References Part II: The Impact of Social Media, Literary Texts and Initiation on Women’s SRHR Needs Chapter 6: Revamping of a “Sanctuary Without Honor”: VaRemba Women’s Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the Enclaves of Religion and Marriage Introduction The Komba Ritual of VaRemba in Chipinda The Power in Religious Space Chipo’s Life Story: A Case Study Change in the Air Trampling Upon VaRemba Women and Girls’ SRHR in the Ritual Space A Discovery of Transformative Space The Ritual Potency of the Komba Ceremony in Traditional Chipinda Area Conclusion References Primary Source Secondary Sources Chapter 7: The Personification of Nature as Mother: Motherhood in Islam with Specific Reference to Varemba Women in Mberengwa, Zimbabwe Introduction Methodology and Theoretical Framework Motherhood in the Varemba Muslims’ Perspective Definition of Motherhood Roles of Mothers Childbearing Mothers as Nurturers Mothers as Caregivers Feeding the Family and Ethnic Group Mothers as First Teachers Gender and the Environment Women and Nature Are Both Oppressed Evolutionary Shift Religious Beliefs Environmental Ethics Among the Varemba Concept of Tawhid (Unity of Allah) Humanity as Trustee or Khalifa Varemba Taboos (zviera) Totemism Mothers and Nature as Life Givers Problems Associated with Personifying Nature as Mother Conclusion References Primary sources Secondary Sources Chapter 8: “Saving Fish from Drowning?”: An Africana Womanist Conceptualization of Wo/Manhood and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Through Analyzing Selected ChiShona Literature Texts Introduction Review of Related Literature and Theoretical Lens Africana Womanism Theoretical Framework Research Methodology Perceptions of Wo/Manhood in Marriage and Love Relationships Wo/manhood and Childbearing Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Wo/manhood and Pregnancy Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Wo/manhood and Decision Making Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Marriage and Roora/Lobola (bride-price) Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Wo/manhood and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Wo/manhood in Polygamy Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Ordinary Level Learners’ Perceptions Curriculum Implementers’ Perceptions Educationists’ Perceptions Conclusion References Primary Sources Secondary Sources Chapter 9: Media Rhetoric, Women, Silences and Sexual Abuses in the Church Introduction Prophet X and Pentecostalism in the Zimbabwean Context Prophet X and the Media Social Media Responses Conclusion References Correction to: Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Infertility and Women in Zimbabwe Index