An Assessment of the Influence of Religion on Gender
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF RELIGION ON GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT: THE CASE OF MULANJE DISTRICT IN MALAWI. by CAROLINE TAKONDWA KAJAWO Submitted in accordance with the requirement for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the subject of DEVELOPMENT STUDIES at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: MRS ANELE MADZIAKAPITA NOVEMBER, 2012 i i DECLARATION I, Caroline Kajawo, hereby declare that this thesis entitled ‘An Assessment Of The Influence Of Religion On Gender Equality And Women Empowerment: The Case Of Mulanje District In Malawi’ is my own original work and that it has not been previously submitted for degree purposes at any other institution of higher learning. I also declare that this thesis does not contain any information or references that have not been duly acknowledged. Signed: Date: 13th February, 2013 ii ii DEDICATION I dedicate this work to: My creator and my God, for His unconditional love, strength, wisdom and guidance to complete this study. My heroes; my parents for teaching me everything about life and above all enlightening me about the reality of life; everyone must struggle hard to make their dreams come true and to be a successful person. My parents have always been voices of encouragement and rocks of stability in my life. They are the reason behind my enthusiasm. They never failed to make me believe about my dreams even when I myself thought they were too hard to reach. All selfless men and women, who dedicate their lives to the service of others; those wonderful men and women who continue to touch the lives of the vulnerable; women and men who strive to create spaces for the once silenced voices to be heard. iii iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In my language there is a saying which goes; mutu umodzi suzenza denga (I am because we are). As I look back, I realize that this dissertation is an outcome of many hands. I would like therefore to acknowledge the enormous support, consistent guidance, inspiring encouragement and love that I have received from the following: • The diverse study participants for accepting to participate in the study and above all for trusting me with their stories. I am greatly honored. • My study supervisor, Mrs Anele Madziakapita, who worked tirelessly with me from a distance, supported and encouraged me every step of the way. I have been fortunate to be supervised by a woman with such a strong passion for gender. Through her mentorship, the scope of my topic widened and I am proud to say that gender has now become part of my life work. I will forever explore gender issues. • UNISA student funding for sponsoring my studies. I believe there were other equally deserving students but to choose me among those was really an honor. • My encouraging friends; Chikosa Ngwira, Emily Kayimba, Lucy Chigwenembe, Charrison Tengatenga, Bernard Sakwata, Cecilia Chinula, Ivy Chauya and Chrispin Bokho. • My fiancé and best friend; James Harry Chitete for being there for me and above all for believing in me. • My colleagues; Marypha Chapomba, Levie Muyale, Ponsilio Bwalo, Frank Phiri and Francis Liyati for arranging interviews for me and assisting me with data collection. Special recognition to my colleague, Lyton Vasulu for guiding me with data analysis techniques. • My brothers and sisters for the unwavering love and support. Thank you for encouraging me to rumble on through uncertainties and helping me cerebrate the smallest achievements throughout the research process. iv IV TABLE OF CONTENTS i DECLARATION .............................................................................................................. ii ii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................ iii iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................... iv IV TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................. v V ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ....................................................................... x VI ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 1.2. Background to the Study .......................................................................................... 1 1.3 Statement of Research Problem ................................................................................ 3 1.4 Research Objectives .................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................... 5 1.7 An Overview of Research Methods .......................................................................... 7 1.8 Operational Definitions of Key Concepts ................................................................. 8 1.9 Chapter Outline ....................................................................................................... 10 1.10 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 12 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................... 13 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 13 2.2 Gender Equality....................................................................................................... 13 2.3 Women Empowerment ............................................................................................ 14 2.4 Gender and Development ........................................................................................ 15 2.5 The Status, Causes and Effects of Gender Equality in Developing Countries ....... 16 2.6 Gender Equality in Malawi ..................................................................................... 20 v 2.7 Religion and Gender................................................................................................ 35 2.8 Religion and Gender Equality/Inequality in Malawi .............................................. 39 2.9 Religion and Gender Equality/Inequality in Mulanje district ................................. 43 2.10 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 44 CHAPTER 3: HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL BACKGROUND .................... 45 3.1: Introduction ............................................................................................................ 45 3.2 Context of the Study ................................................................................................ 45 3.3. Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 55 CHAPTER 4: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY ..................................... 56 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 56 4.2 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 56 4.3 Research Setting ...................................................................................................... 57 4.4 Study Target Population .......................................................................................... 58 4.5 Research Methodology ............................................................................................ 58 4.6 Validity and Reliability ........................................................................................... 69 4.7 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 70 4.8 Ethical Considerations............................................................................................. 71 4.9 Limitations of the Study .......................................................................................... 72 4.10 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 72 CHAPTER 5: RESEARCH FINDINGS AND INTERPRETATION .............................. 74 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 74 5.2: Demographic Characteristics ................................................................................. 75 5.3 Qualitative Results- Presentation and Discussion ................................................... 80 5.4 Quantitative Findings and Discussions ................................................................. 100 5.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 127 vi CHAPTER 6: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION ............. 128 6.1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 128 6.2 Summary of Main Findings .................................................................................