Gender, HIV, and the Church: A Case Study

This 12-page case study, published by Tearfund, looks at the church's ability to work with communities to address culturally sensitive issues such as gender and HIV, by focusing on the relationships between men and women. It describes a two-year pilot project to engage local churches in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso in reflecting on gender issues. According to organisers, the programme took a 'whole-life' approach, discussing gender inequality and HIV within the wider context of relationships, life skills, and Christian life. Organisers say that providing a biblical understanding of these issues was vital to engage churches and address the common perception that "gender" is a Western feminist concept.

Research carried out by Tearfund in both countries found that many attitudes and behaviours prevalent among Christians were based on underlying traditional cultural values rather than biblical values, and that in many cases the church was not challenging harmful traditional views about gender; indeed, it was often reinforcing them through selective use of Bible passages.

Over the 2-year pilot project, the churches involved held a variety of interventions including workshops for couples to develop relationship and parenting skills; camps for young people focusing on life skills, goal setting, and making positive choices; teaching in churches; and training for church leaders. These leader training sessions were, organisers say, key to ensuring access to the church and engagement of the community. The couples training workshops focused on developing relationship skills and reflecting on biblical passages on marriage, gender, and women. According to the organisers, their aim was to help couples develop open communication; resolve conflict through discussion; build parenting skills; and develop a healthy sexual relationship with an emphasis on enjoyable sex as an expression of love and commitment. It was hoped that the workshops would have an impact on numbers of multiple concurrent partnerships, and therefore reduce the spread of HIV.

A significant part of the project involved addressing key Bible passages often used to justify gender inequalities. Using Bible studies and facilitated discussion groups, the programme opened debate around particular concepts and passages, inviting participants to look at the original context and meaning of the words. Participants say it did not necessarily change the theological views of all participants, but provided space and motivation to challenge the understanding of the Bible in their community or culture.

According to Tearfund, the programme did have a significant impact on the communities involved. During a review of the project, focus group participants were asked to discuss the most significant change in their communities. People reported increased HIV testing, reduction in multiple or concurrent partners, and increased discussion within relationships about love and sexuality. Some also reported increased condom use, and young people said they no longer saw HIV as a death sentence. However, the case study notes that tackling deep-rooted traditions is a long-term process, as some women still felt as though they had no choice in negotiating sex with their partners.

The report concludes that working with local churches is key to addressing gender inequality, and that by taking a biblical and relationships-based approach to gender, pastors and congregations can openly discuss and debate cultural traditions and norms that have previously restricted both men and women from reaching their full potential in life.

For more information contact:
Tearfund
enquiry@tearfund.org