Rev. Mimii Mziray, Principal of Nyakato Lutheran Bible College in East of Lake Victoria Diocese. Photo: LWF/Johanan Celine Valeriano
The principal of a Bible college in northern Tanzania talks about her research to tackle gender disparity in the church
As an LWF scholarship holder, I am researching the contribution of Christian education in addressing gender disparity in the context of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and I am currently looking at existing curricula in the church. I am inspired to do this because I really want the church to be involved in teaching equality between men and women. I long for a society where all people feel equal and live in peace, following the teachings and stories in the Bible that remind us of the equality that God has shown from the beginning in creation and in the history of the redemption of mankind,
I am exploring the way that Christian education can and is addressing gender disparity in our church, looking especially to determine whether Christian education programs in Sunday schools, elementary and secondary schools, confirmation courses, college programs, and premarital or marital programs can address and resolve gender inequality.
It is clear that the absence or low participation of women in activities in the public arena, such as employment, voting, policymaking and education, leaves them impoverished in every aspect of their well-being and development. In this context, many women are voiceless, isolated, rendered invisible, and prevented from participating in the key sectors that would contribute to sustainable development.
Inspired by Hélène Ralivao’s pioneering work
My studies are exploring how Christian education in our church has been contextualized to address cultural issues. In areas where I have carried out my research, there are many cultural practices that affect women, such as the ‘chagulaga’ tradition of choosing a bride through dances, the murder of women with red eyes, female genital mutilation, child marriages and other traditions around inheritance, dowries and decision making. The church has always played an important role in shaping moral norms, so my research aims to identify where gaps exist. I am investigating successful strategies used to address gender disparities and analyzing Christian education books to see what role they play.
I am happy to be doing this research under the auspices of the LWF scholarship program and its Hélène Ralivao Fund. In addition to financial support, we also benefit from several activities, seminars and networking opportunities offered by the program, such as ‘Grow to Lead’, a leadership formation training for scholarship students. The program has also just launched a peer support group for PhD students, with the aim of fostering a supportive community for the students to share their experiences, challenges and insights.
Hélène Ralivao was a pioneering Malagasy theologian committed to theological education, gender justice and women’s empowerment. I am happy that, in honour of her great work, I can offer my own efforts in the field of Christian education. I hope that my research will lead to the development of curricula to help children grow up with religious teachings that focus on equality, empowering them to become models for a just and peaceful life.
