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

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