Editorial

African women, pandemics and religion: Exploring religion, resilience and responsibility

Sophia Chirongoma, Linda W. Naicker

Copyright: © 2024. The Author(s). Licensee: AOSIS.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Introduction

The global COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges, compelling societies to demonstrate resilience and adaptability in confronting its diverse impacts. This special collection is an overflow from a 2023 special collection of the same title, focusing on the unique experiences and contributions of African religious women as they navigate the overwhelming difficulties posed by pandemics throughout history.

Inspired by the Humboldt Research Hub in Africa on Women, Religion and Pandemics, this collection highlights the significant roles that African women play during health crises. It examines how religion serves as a resource during emergencies such as human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency virus (HIV and AIDS), Ebola, and COVID-19. It also considers how historical responses of African religious women can inform future strategies for health crises.

The articles included in this special collection arise from a collaborative conference from July 2022, held by the Research Institute for Theology and Religion (RITR), the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians, and the Humboldt Research Hub in Africa on Women, Religion and Pandemics. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Humboldt Research Hub in Africa on Women, Religion and Pandemics, stationed at the University of Zimbabwe for their generous financial support to pay for page fees, which has enabled researchers without funding to share their valuable work.

Exploring themes in this special collection

This special issue features five insightful articles that collectively address the complex interplay between gender, religion, and pandemics in African contexts.

‘A case study of the Methodist Church in the light of Luke 18:1–8 to address the plight of women’ by Peter Masvotore (2024): This study critiques the exacerbation of vulnerabilities faced by women in the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. It calls for faith communities to reinterpret biblical narratives as tools for advocating for women’s rights and empowerment, highlighting the urgent need to address issues of domestic violence and property rights through a theological lens.

‘African women, religion and COVID-19: The bedrock of Sipiwe Chisvo’s periphery-centre leadership ascendance’ by Martin Mujinga (2024): This article examines the rise of Sipiwe Chisvo, illustrating her contributions to the Methodist Church during the pandemic. It highlights her leadership as a vital representation of African women’s roles in providing hope and support during crises, challenging traditional narratives that often overlook their contributions.

‘Cultural dynamics of gender-based violence and pastoral care in South Africa’ by Lufuluvhi M. Mudimeli and Hundzukani P. Khosa-Nkatini (2024): This research investigates the cultural dynamics of gender-based violence in South Africa, emphasising how entrenched patriarchal norms affect women’s experiences. The study explores the implications for pastoral care practices, aiming to inform and enhance responses to gender-based violence within faith communities.

‘Theologies of women’s submission and the COVID-19 pandemic’ by Nomatter Sande (2024). In this article, the author critiques how the triple oppressions embedded in Indigenous cultures, African Traditional Religions and Christianity serve as fodder for theologies of women’s submission. Using Zimbabwe as a case study, the article foregrounds how such a theology exacerbated African women’s vulnerability to COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic.

‘African women, religion and pandemics: Some initial responses to COVID-19’ by Julius M. Gathogo (2024). Acknowledging African women’s formidable role in warding off all life-threatening forces, this article focuses on how African women leaned on religio-cultural resources as formidable weapons for protecting their families from COVID-19. The article affirms that the African heritage is a pivotal pillar in preserving health and well-being, even amidst pandemics like COVID-19 which does not have a cure.

Together, these articles provide critical insights into the resilience of African women in the face of pandemics, offering valuable perspectives on their roles, challenges, and contributions to their communities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this special collection illuminates the vital contributions of African women during pandemics, showcasing their resilience and leadership within religious contexts. The articles highlight the urgent need for faith communities to engage with and reinterpret religious narratives to advocate for women’s rights, address systemic vulnerabilities, and enhance pastoral care practices. As we anticipate the upcoming publications, we reaffirm the significance of amplifying African women’s voices and experiences in shaping effective responses to health crises. Together, these works not only honour the past but also pave the way for a more equitable future in which women’s roles are recognised and validated.

References