THE ROLE OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN ZAMBIA IN PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY AMONG MEMBERS IN SELECTED CONGREGATIONS IN LUSAKA DISTRICT: 2012-2017

Dickson Njobvu; Judith Lubasi Ilubala-Ziwa

Dickson Njobvu Lusaka Boys Secondary School
Judith Lubasi Ilubala-Ziwa University of Zambia

Keywords: Religion, Church, Congregation, Gender Inequality, Gender Equality

Abstract

The study examined the measures, challenges and factors that influenced the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) to promote gender equality among their members. A case study design that involved the use of semi-structured interview and focus group discussion (FGD) qualitative methods, was used. Purposive sampling was used to select the 28 participants. The findings revealed that the RCZ played a significant role in promoting gender equality in the church through training religious leaders responsible for counselling young people and couples about to get married. The study concluded that although the RCZ played a significant role in promoting gender equality in Zambia, it concentrated much at the congregational rather than community and national levels.

Author Biographies

Dickson Njobvu, Lusaka Boys Secondary School

Dickson Njobvu is a teacher at Lusaka Boys Secondary School. He has taught Religious Education (RE) for 13 years, and is instrumental in designing materials used in teaching RE in his school. In 2017, he obtained his Master of Education Degree in Religious Studies from the University of Zambia.

Judith Lubasi Ilubala-Ziwa, University of Zambia

Judith Lubasi Ilubala-Ziwa is a lecturer and researcher at the University of Zambia (UNZA), in the Department of Religious and Cultural Studies. She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her interests of research include religious education and gender, and religious education and gender emancipation through the provision of emancipatory tools. She has published among other articles: ‘The Role of Church and Ecumenical Mission in Gender Emancipation and Equality in Lusaka District, Zambia’ published in the Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies - JAIS ISSN 2523-6725 (Online) Volume 2, Number 7, July 2018, pp. 93-102) and co-published (with Rabecca Phiri) article ‘Factors Affecting Girls’ Utilisation of Menstrual Hygiene Facilities in Selected Secondary Schools in Eastern Province of Zambia’ in the International Journal of Education and Teaching 3(2), 62-71. Doi: 10.51483/IJEDT.3.2.2023.62-71.