Gender issuesGender issues

A global perspectiveA global perspective

Men, Women and the BibleMen, Women and the BibleOur story in several partsOur story in several parts

CreationCreationSinSin IsraelIsraelRedemptionRedemptionFuture gloryFuture glory

Creation of men and women- part Creation of men and women- part of the goodness of Creation. of the goodness of Creation.

Let us make humankind in our image, after Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness and let them have dominion our likeness and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air..over the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air..

So God created humankind in his own So God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.him, male and female he created them.Genesis 1 26-27Genesis 1 26-27

Men and WomenMen and Women

Part of the rest of creationPart of the rest of creationMale and female for a purposeMale and female for a purposeDifferent from the animal kingdomDifferent from the animal kingdomExpressing Unity of humankindExpressing Unity of humankindJoint stewardship of creationJoint stewardship of creationMade for intimacy, love, respect, careMade for intimacy, love, respect, careMade different, the same, complementary Made different, the same, complementary

and to be in unionand to be in union

Our relationship with each otherOur relationship with each other

Pro-creators, joint stewardsPro-creators, joint stewardsRenewing and restoring of lifeRenewing and restoring of life ‘‘Leaving and cleaving’Leaving and cleaving’Sexual faithfulness and exclusivitySexual faithfulness and exclusivityProtection of the vulnerableProtection of the vulnerableAccording each other dignity and respectAccording each other dignity and respect

No wonder I have problemsNo wonder I have problems

One of my parents was a man One of my parents was a man

And the other was a womanAnd the other was a woman

Groucho MarxGroucho Marx

Broken imagesBroken images

Genesis 3Genesis 3Sin of disobedience and movement toward Sin of disobedience and movement toward

autonomyautonomyBlame and recriminationBlame and recriminationViolation of gender harmonyViolation of gender harmonyDifference in result of sin: male rule, Difference in result of sin: male rule,

women ‘desire’women ‘desire’Difference in response to creationDifference in response to creation

Sin and Gender in Scripture Sin and Gender in Scripture ScriptureScripture

Blame, rape, incest, manipulation, betrayal Blame, rape, incest, manipulation, betrayal Violence, aggression, lack of respectViolence, aggression, lack of respectAnimosity, rivalry, oppression of women, Animosity, rivalry, oppression of women,

sexual abuse, control, hardness of heart.sexual abuse, control, hardness of heart.Male lust, female manipulation – often Male lust, female manipulation – often

using sex to get their own wayusing sex to get their own wayGenesis 16, 19, 20, 29, 34, 38, 39,Genesis 16, 19, 20, 29, 34, 38, 39,Judges 19Judges 19

St JeromeSt JeromeThere is something not good in the There is something not good in the

number two….while scripture on the first, number two….while scripture on the first, third fourth and sixth days relates that third fourth and sixth days relates that having finished the works of each God having finished the works of each God saw that it was good, on the second day saw that it was good, on the second day He omitted this altogether, leaving us to He omitted this altogether, leaving us to understand that two is not a good number understand that two is not a good number because it prefigures the marriage because it prefigures the marriage contract.contract.

Just kidding, just Just kidding, just kidding! I’m not kidding! I’m not Really going to Really going to Preach from the Preach from the Song of Solomon Song of Solomon today today

Redemption and GenderRedemption and Gender

Christ’s redemptive love is not simply Christ’s redemptive love is not simply related to our individual sin, but related to our individual sin, but

touches into every aspect of gender touches into every aspect of gender relationshipsrelationships

‘‘Women hold up half the sky, Women hold up half the sky, but it is the heavier half’but it is the heavier half’

‘‘Women are 51% of world’s population, Women are 51% of world’s population, do 66% of world’s work, earn 10% of do 66% of world’s work, earn 10% of world’s income, own 1% of world’s world’s income, own 1% of world’s

wealthwealth

Women account for nearly 70% of the 1.3 billion people living in extreme Women account for nearly 70% of the 1.3 billion people living in extreme povertypoverty

Illiteracy rates amongst women are higher in every poor country than Illiteracy rates amongst women are higher in every poor country than amongst men- 66% worldwideamongst men- 66% worldwide

Loans for small businesses/ grants from IMF traditionally benefited menLoans for small businesses/ grants from IMF traditionally benefited men Little legal protection for their land ownershipLittle legal protection for their land ownership Sexual violence and trafficking of women increases poverty, vulnerability, Sexual violence and trafficking of women increases poverty, vulnerability,

destitutiondestitution In India estimated that discrimination against girls increases rate of child In India estimated that discrimination against girls increases rate of child

mortality by 20%mortality by 20% More than half a million More than half a million women die in pregnancy and childbirth each year. women die in pregnancy and childbirth each year. Gender-based violence causes more deaths and disability among women Gender-based violence causes more deaths and disability among women

aged 15 to 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and waraged 15 to 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war

1. Gender and poverty1. Gender and poverty In every society where studies have been In every society where studies have been

undertaken, the majority of the poor are women, and undertaken, the majority of the poor are women, and their children. Women bear the brunt of global their children. Women bear the brunt of global poverty often forming an underclass below the poverty often forming an underclass below the existing underclass. existing underclass.

E.g.Poverty reports in the UK have indicated E.g.Poverty reports in the UK have indicated situations of differentiated poverty within the same situations of differentiated poverty within the same family. A woman may fall below the poverty level family. A woman may fall below the poverty level when the man is above it.when the man is above it.

Poverty’s multiple gender aspects means that it Poverty’s multiple gender aspects means that it cannot be addressed by policies or programmes in cannot be addressed by policies or programmes in one area aloneone area alone

Multiple Poverty of womenMultiple Poverty of women

Hunger, malnutrition, high infant and Hunger, malnutrition, high infant and maternal mortality rates, low access to maternal mortality rates, low access to fresh water, health, education, information, fresh water, health, education, information, transport, and financial services; illiteracy, transport, and financial services; illiteracy, low income, indebtedness, exposure to low income, indebtedness, exposure to disease and epidemics, vulnerability to disease and epidemics, vulnerability to climate change, global exclusions climate change, global exclusions (including from decision-making) (including from decision-making) powerlessness, powerlessness,

2. Gender and Health2. Gender and Health

Lack of freedom to explore health issues for Lack of freedom to explore health issues for many women in poor countries many women in poor countries

Problems over childbirth and maternal Problems over childbirth and maternal mortality: grandmothers’ burdensmortality: grandmothers’ burdens

Issues specifically affecting the girl child: e.g Issues specifically affecting the girl child: e.g child brideschild brides

Women survivors of disastersWomen survivors of disasters Spread of HIV/AidsSpread of HIV/Aids Difficulties over cost of vaccinationsDifficulties over cost of vaccinations

Maternal mortality ratesMaternal mortality rates ‘‘I can remember back in the late 90s when I I can remember back in the late 90s when I

was overseeing the publication of was overseeing the publication of The State of The State of the World’s Childrenthe World’s Children for UNICEF, and we did a for UNICEF, and we did a piece of maternal mortality, and realized that piece of maternal mortality, and realized that the same number of actual deaths –between the same number of actual deaths –between 500,000-600,000 had not changed for 20 500,000-600,000 had not changed for 20 years. And now it’s 30 years. You can bet if years. And now it’s 30 years. You can bet if there was something called paternal mortality, there was something called paternal mortality, the numbers wouldn’t be frozen in time for 3 the numbers wouldn’t be frozen in time for 3 decades.’ Stephen Lewisdecades.’ Stephen Lewis

Selective AbortionSelective AbortionGuardianGuardian newspaper report Feb 07 newspaper report Feb 07

Earlier this month police arrested two people Earlier this month police arrested two people after the discovery of 400 pieces of bones after the discovery of 400 pieces of bones believed to be of female foetuses in the town of believed to be of female foetuses in the town of Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Last September, the Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh. Last September, the remains of dozens of babies were exhumed from remains of dozens of babies were exhumed from a pit outside an abortion clinic in Punjab. a pit outside an abortion clinic in Punjab. According to investigators, that clinic was run by According to investigators, that clinic was run by an untrained, unqualified retired soldier and his an untrained, unqualified retired soldier and his wife. To dispose of the evidence, acid was use wife. To dispose of the evidence, acid was use to melt the flesh and then the bones were to melt the flesh and then the bones were hammered to smithereens.hammered to smithereens.

India’s missing girlsIndia’s missing girls

For the two years up to 2004, India had For the two years up to 2004, India had just 882 girls per 1,000 boys. India now just 882 girls per 1,000 boys. India now has 930,000 missing girls every year. has 930,000 missing girls every year. "What we are talking about is a massive, "What we are talking about is a massive, hidden number of deaths.“ hidden number of deaths.“

Sabu GeorgeSabu George

India reportIndia report

Although gender-based abortion is illegal, Although gender-based abortion is illegal, parents are choosing to abort female parents are choosing to abort female foetuses in such large numbers that foetuses in such large numbers that experts estimate India has lost 10 million experts estimate India has lost 10 million girls in the past two decades. In the 12 girls in the past two decades. In the 12 years since selective abortion was years since selective abortion was outlawed, only one doctor has been outlawed, only one doctor has been convicted of carrying out the crime.convicted of carrying out the crime.

Sabu George, a Delhi-based researcher Sabu George, a Delhi-based researcher who has worked for two decades on who has worked for two decades on female foeticide, describes the first few female foeticide, describes the first few months in the womb as "the riskiest part of months in the womb as "the riskiest part of a woman's life cycle in India". The sex a woman's life cycle in India". The sex ratios in the country, he says, are getting ratios in the country, he says, are getting worse "day by day".worse "day by day".

The demographic consequences of mass The demographic consequences of mass female foeticide are most pronounced in female foeticide are most pronounced in the most developed parts of India. In the most developed parts of India. In Delhi, one of the richest cities in India, Delhi, one of the richest cities in India, there are just 827 girls per 1,000 boys there are just 827 girls per 1,000 boys being born. Not far away, in the wealthy being born. Not far away, in the wealthy farming belt of Kurukshetra, there are only farming belt of Kurukshetra, there are only 770.770.

The dowry problemThe dowry problem

The bride's side, according to convention, The bride's side, according to convention, is supposed to give but never take from is supposed to give but never take from the groom's family. In today's India that the groom's family. In today's India that translates into an evermore expensive gift translates into an evermore expensive gift list of consumer goods. Decades ago, a list of consumer goods. Decades ago, a wealthy bride's father would have been wealthy bride's father would have been expected to give gold bracelets. Today it is expected to give gold bracelets. Today it is jewellery, fridges, cars and foreign jewellery, fridges, cars and foreign holidays - and the bride's family may end holidays - and the bride's family may end up paying the bill for the rest of their livesup paying the bill for the rest of their lives

Until the last few years, China was worse. Until the last few years, China was worse. Beijing's harsh, yet effective, family-Beijing's harsh, yet effective, family-planning policy limited urban couples to a planning policy limited urban couples to a single child -which was usually a boy. single child -which was usually a boy. China's sex ratio stands at just 832:1,000China's sex ratio stands at just 832:1,000

HIV/AidsHIV/Aids 20 million people have died of Aids over the last 25 years: 8000 20 million people have died of Aids over the last 25 years: 8000

will die today. will die today. 39 million are currently infected with HIV:39 million are currently infected with HIV: Most of all new infections occur in Sub-Saharan AfricaMost of all new infections occur in Sub-Saharan Africa Many African countries have an infection rate over 30%Many African countries have an infection rate over 30% 15 million children have been orphaned through the pandemic 15 million children have been orphaned through the pandemic

one fifth of all deaths = child under 15one fifth of all deaths = child under 15 In some cultures women often infected by their husbands on In some cultures women often infected by their husbands on

their wedding night. their wedding night. Cost of injection to prevent pregnant mother to child infection £7 Cost of injection to prevent pregnant mother to child infection £7

mth but poverty means very low take-upmth but poverty means very low take-up

‘‘It took until the Bangkok AIDS conference in 2004 - It took until the Bangkok AIDS conference in 2004 - more than twenty years into the pandemic --- before the more than twenty years into the pandemic --- before the definitive report from UNAIDS disaggregated the definitive report from UNAIDS disaggregated the statistics and commented, extensively, upon the statistics and commented, extensively, upon the devastating vulnerability of women. The phrase "AIDS devastating vulnerability of women. The phrase "AIDS has a woman's face" actually gained currency at the has a woman's face" actually gained currency at the AIDS conference in Barcelona two years earlier, in AIDS conference in Barcelona two years earlier, in 2002, and even then it was years late. Perhaps we 2002, and even then it was years late. Perhaps we should stop using it now as though it has a revelatory should stop using it now as though it has a revelatory dimension. The women of Africa have always known dimension. The women of Africa have always known whose face it is that's withered and aching from the whose face it is that's withered and aching from the virus.’virus.’

Stephen LewisStephen Lewis

Microfinance to keep HIV orphans in Microfinance to keep HIV orphans in schoolschool

3. Gender and War –3. Gender and War –Sexual violenceSexual violence

Ownership of women’s bodiesOwnership of women’s bodiesFemale genital mutilationFemale genital mutilationRape as a weapon of warRape as a weapon of warTrafficking of womenTrafficking of womenEnforced child prostitutionEnforced child prostitutionAbortion of girl babies- female foeticideAbortion of girl babies- female foeticideGlobal incidence of domestic violence, Global incidence of domestic violence,

rape and murder rape and murder

‘‘Female genital mutilation, the contagion of Female genital mutilation, the contagion of violence against women, sexual violence in violence against women, sexual violence in particular, rape as a weapon of war --- particular, rape as a weapon of war --- Rwanda, Darfur, Northern Uganda, Eastern Rwanda, Darfur, Northern Uganda, Eastern Congo --- marital rape, child defilement, as it Congo --- marital rape, child defilement, as it is called in Zambia, sexual trafficking, is called in Zambia, sexual trafficking, maternal mortality, early marriage . maternal mortality, early marriage .

Who are we? Dubious theologyWho are we? Dubious theology Man made in the image of God, woman in the image of Man made in the image of God, woman in the image of

man (women= ‘misbegotten men’) man (women= ‘misbegotten men’) Woman under the ultimate authority of man (as a Woman under the ultimate authority of man (as a

universal creation ordinance )universal creation ordinance ) Men called to be icons of Christ, women called to be Men called to be icons of Christ, women called to be

receivers of grace (Men lead- women follow) receivers of grace (Men lead- women follow) Men reflecting the rational-soul principle: women Men reflecting the rational-soul principle: women

reflecting the emotional-body principle reflecting the emotional-body principle Men -struggling for purity, women as temptresses.Men -struggling for purity, women as temptresses. Men as lustful, women as angels of the home.Men as lustful, women as angels of the home. Women in subjection at the bottom of cosmic hierarchy: Women in subjection at the bottom of cosmic hierarchy:

God – Christ – man – woman God – Christ – man – woman

Who are we really?Who are we really?

Made male and female in the image of GodMade male and female in the image of God Created, fallen, redeemed.Created, fallen, redeemed. Joint sinners, bearing equal responsibilityJoint sinners, bearing equal responsibility Joint-heirs of salvation and of the promise.Joint-heirs of salvation and of the promise. Members together of the body of ChristMembers together of the body of Christ Co-workers for the kingdom of GodCo-workers for the kingdom of God Both anointed with the Spirit of GodBoth anointed with the Spirit of God Given gifts from God for the work of the Gospel Given gifts from God for the work of the Gospel

I am come that they might have life- I am come that they might have life- and life in abundanceand life in abundance

The International Christian Alliance The International Christian Alliance on Prostitution (ICAP)on Prostitution (ICAP)

Unites, equips and empowers practitioners Unites, equips and empowers practitioners and advocates, who compassionately and advocates, who compassionately challenge injustice and offer freedom to challenge injustice and offer freedom to people exploited by prostitution, including people exploited by prostitution, including sex trafficking. sex trafficking.

Samaritana Transformation Samaritana Transformation MinistriesMinistries

‘‘Inspired by Jesus’s example, Samaritana Inspired by Jesus’s example, Samaritana reaches out to modern-day ‘Samaritan’ women reaches out to modern-day ‘Samaritan’ women in the Philippines. By offering them community, in the Philippines. By offering them community, friendship and companionship, these women are friendship and companionship, these women are also slowly freed up to be who they truly are, as also slowly freed up to be who they truly are, as people loved just for who they are, regardless of people loved just for who they are, regardless of their backgrounds. They are valued for who they their backgrounds. They are valued for who they can yet become as they begin to trust in God, can yet become as they begin to trust in God, and others, gain confidence in themselves and and others, gain confidence in themselves and renew and pursue their dreams and aspirations’renew and pursue their dreams and aspirations’

RestoredRestored

Aims to highlight the issues of violence Aims to highlight the issues of violence against women across the globeagainst women across the globe

Aims to network with and enable Christian Aims to network with and enable Christian organisations working in specific areasorganisations working in specific areas

Aims to raise theological awareness so Aims to raise theological awareness so churches can help abusers and abused.churches can help abusers and abused.

Aims to work for the protection of women Aims to work for the protection of women and the restoration of male- female and the restoration of male- female relationshipsrelationships