Academic literature on the topic 'Women in development – Zimbabwe – Religious aspects'

AbstractThis paper analyzes the role of religious faith in the work of two Christian NGOs involved in economic development in Zimbabwe, World Vision and Christian Care. While economic development is rarely analyzed in terms of religious ideas, this essay explores the religious aspects of development for employees of Christian NGOs and recipients of their development assistance. Uniting development and evangelism, employees of Christian NGOs articulate faith through concepts of 'holism', 'lifestyle evangelism', and prayer. These ideas and practices permeate institutional directives, the experiences of NGO workers, and the communities they serve. The essay compares what faith means to communities being 'developed' at project sites in rural Zimbabwe with faith as it is exercised alongside administrative power in NGO offices. It demonstrates how faith structures the initiatives and interpretation of economic development, and traces what is religious about development for NGO employees and for the rural communities they assist.

This paper gives an overview of socio-cultural, religious and political background of Pakistani society and examines the current status of women utilising data from Pakistan Fertility and Family planning Survey 1996-97. The low status of women is one of the many factors in Pakistani society, which interfere with the achievement of development goals. The success of family planning intervention also mainly depends upon the cooperation and involvement of women. The traditional social structures and norms that limit women's roles may limit their ability to contribute in efforts to control population growth. Some indicators, such as education of women, employment of women, women's participation in domestic and child related decisions, women's mobility, communication about family planning, religion and family planning, have been examined from Pakistan Fertility and Family Planning Survey (1996-97) [For detail of PFFPS, see Hakim et at. (1998)]. Data reveal that there is a little improvement in the social indicators of status of women in Pakistan, however, it is still very low which inhibit their participation in education and in the labour force as well as encouraging their high fertility. Maintenance of traditional Islamic and cultural restrictions on women may also conflict with the achievement of development goals in family planning. Hence an examination is required of Islamic teachings and customary laws affecting the status of women in Pakistani society and the family which ultimately restrict women from adopting family planning measures.

Gender equality and human rights are vital components of sustainable development. Recognising this, like many countries across the globe, Zimbabwe adopted and is in the process of implementing the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. As such, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) influence the country’s national priorities and developmental trajectories. 2030 is earmarked for the completion of the SDGs and their evaluation. That being the case, it is important to note that in Zimbabwe the realisation of (SDG,5) on achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls is still far from being a lived reality owing to several setbacks. This paper delineated the factors impeding the successful realisation of SDGs aimed at promoting gender equality and empowerment of women/girls in Zimbabwe. The paper adopted a qualitative research approach guided by the descriptive design. 15 participants were selected through purposive and convenient sampling and data were collected using focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Data were analysed through the Thematic Content Analysis. This study established that barriers towards the attainment of gender equality in Nyanga rural district are embedded in cultural, religious, and political factors. Other factors such as poverty and lack of policy implementation also serve as barriers towards the realisation of gender equality and empowerment of women.

Background: Malnutrition in all its forms continues to be a global public health challenge affecting mostly women and children in Africa. The socioeconomic consequences of poor nutrition are far-reaching and cross-generational. Objective: To provide an update on the nutrition situation in Zimbabwe in the context of the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda. Key findings: In Zimbabwe, the leading nutrition problems include high levels of childhood stunting, micronutrient deficiencies (Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, and Selenium) affecting mostly children younger than 5 years and women aged 15-49 years. This paper presents evidence on the emergence of obesity and associated complications like diabetes, hypertension, and several cancers in addition to the traditional problem of undernutrition burden “multiple burden of malnutrition”. These nutrition challenges can be attributed to poor breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, the low dietary diversity affecting mostly rural households and nutrition transition. Cultural and religious beliefs are barriers to the adoption of appropriate breastfeeding and IYCF practices. Conclusion: The multiple burden of malnutrition exists in Zimbabwe. Although there is political, commitment and multisectoral initiatives to address malnutrition and food insecurity, the declining socio-economic situation and the COVID-19 associated restrictions are worsening the situation and poor households are getting more vulnerable. Considering that Zimbabwe’s economy is agriculture-based there is a need to put emphasis on promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture initiatives and urgently implement the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) to propel the adoption of healthy lifestyles and dietary behaviors. Keywords: Stunting, Breastfeeding, IYCF, Micronutrient deficiency, SDGs, COVID-19, Zimbabwe.

Background: Malnutrition in all its forms continues to be a global public health challenge affecting mostly women and children in Africa. The socioeconomic consequences of poor nutrition are far-reaching and cross-generational. Objective: To provide an update on the nutrition situation in Zimbabwe in the context of the United Nations 2030 sustainable development agenda. Key findings: In Zimbabwe, the leading nutrition problems include high levels of childhood stunting, micronutrient deficiencies (Vitamin A, Iron, Zinc, and Selenium) affecting mostly children younger than 5 years and women aged 15-49 years. This paper presents evidence on the emergence of obesity and associated complications like diabetes, hypertension, and several cancers in addition to the traditional problem of undernutrition burden “multiple burden of malnutrition”. These nutrition challenges can be attributed to poor breastfeeding and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, the low dietary diversity affecting mostly rural households and nutrition transition. Cultural and religious beliefs are barriers to the adoption of appropriate breastfeeding and IYCF practices. Conclusion: The multiple burden of malnutrition exists in Zimbabwe. Although there is political, commitment and multisectoral initiatives to address malnutrition and food insecurity, the declining socio-economic situation and the COVID-19 associated restrictions are worsening the situation and poor households are getting more vulnerable. Considering that Zimbabwe’s economy is agriculture-based there is a need to put emphasis on promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture initiatives and urgently implement the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) to propel the adoption of healthy lifestyles and dietary behaviors. Keywords: Stunting, Breastfeeding, IYCF, Micronutrient deficiency, SDGs, COVID-19, Zimbabwe.

The Covid-19 pandemic has continued to cause socio-economic damages which will take a long time to recover from while there is no vaccine in sight. The impacts are affecting the social well-being of global citizens which triggers the need to investigate the psychosocial effects. In order to achieve and to provide the missing African context, the study was done in Zimbabwe. Due to lockdown restrictions, samples were obtained using online survey and social media platforms. Analysis was done to determine the effects, so far, of the virus on the general economy, psychological and social aspects as well as religious values of the citizens qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings indicated that economic loses were recorded at household, corporate and national levels. Indicators included increases in prices and exchange rate which eroded the buying power of local currency and increased the cost of basic commodities. Economic pressures, Covid-19 trends and restrictions imposed caused psychological damages which included fear, feeling of uncertainty and loss of hope. The study recommended increased awareness and psychological support to help the citizens to overcome mental displeasures. The study has potential to assist policy makers, health practitioners and development partners in developing strategies to eliminate Covid-19 related psychosocial pressures in Zimbabwe and globally.

The majority of research on yoga focuses on its psychophysiological and therapeutic benefits, while the spiritual aspects are rarely addressed. Changes of specific aspects of spirituality were thus investigated among 160 individuals (91% women, mean age years; 57% Christians) starting a 2-year yoga teacher training. We used standardized questionnaires to measure aspects of spirituality (ASP), mindfulness (FMI—Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory), life satisfaction (BMLSS—Brief Multidimensional Life Satisfaction Scale), and positive mood (lightheartedness/relief). At the start of the course, scores of the respective ASP subscales forsearch for insight/wisdom, transcendence conviction, andconscious interactions/compassionwere high, while those forreligious orientationwere low. Within the 6 month observation period, bothconscious interactions/compassion(effect size, Cohen’s ),Religious orientation(),Lightheartedness/Relief() and mindfulness () increased significantly. Particularly non-religious/non-spiritual individuals showed moderate effects for an increase ofconscious interactions/compassion. The results from this study suggest that an intensive yoga practice (1) may significantly increase specific aspects of practitioners’ spirituality, mindfulness, and mood, (2) that these changes are dependent in part on their original spiritual/religious self-perception, and (3) that there are strong correlations amongst these constructs (i.e.,conscious interactions/compassion, and mindfulness).

This qualitative research examined the issues of women’s head covering in Islam and Judaism. It focuses on the role played by head-covering decisions in the development of religious identity. Translated sources of Islamic and Jewish law on modest dress set the context of religious rulings in which women wrestle with decisions about head-covering. Ten practising Muslim and Jewish women were interviewed about their experiences of head/hair covering. Head/hair covering was seen as an expression of identity, and as a way of managing identity. It is a key topic for both Muslim and Jewish women, central in identity development and in decisions relating to identity development, identity threat, acculturation, spirituality, and social relations with men. The role of dress is one of many aspects of ritual deserving closer attention from psychologists of religion, along with the more general topic of the impact of religious practice on religious and spiritual development.

It has been shown that in recent years in Ukraine the pressure of religious organizations on the legislative and executive authorities has increased and information campaigns and projects of anti-gender and anti-Ukrainian trends have been implemented. The author analyzed how in the regions staying under Russian informational pressure the religious fundamentalism shows the potential of development develop into religious extremism. It has been demonstrated that in Ukraine the gender aspects of security are not well-developed and are heavily influenced by religion. It has been shown that the lack of high-quality gender analytics significantly complicates the forecasting of social processes. The article deals with the question how religious fundamentalism manipulates women's security issues in favor of religious interests. It is noted that the pressure of pro-religious anti-gender movements on the authorities in Ukraine can lead to negative consequences, and that the establishment of a state policy based on religious perceptions of the world can threaten the country's internal security. It was concluded that in times of conflict, religious extremism does not recognize the rule of human rights and proclaims the primacy of religious customs over women's human rights. It is proved that, considering direct conflict with Russia, the spread of religious fundamentalism in Ukraine and the spread of structural gender violence will be relevant and require the immediate development of gender and biopolitical aspects of security. It was concluded that for the progressive democratic development of Ukraine, as well as safe living conditions and the well-being of its citizens, the security services should turn to gender analytics. It has been proven that, in order to protect their interests, religious leaders can initiate a departure from state-guaranteed compliance with international agreements on gender equality in all spheres of life. In this regard, Ukraine's implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1325 on Women, Peace, Security and the similar resolutions as well as Recommendations of the UN Committee on the Status of Women for Countries that have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, other UN instruments is important for Ukraine. Also important are the country's European commitments in the field of gender equality. In particular, the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) needs to be ratified.

Women entrepreneurs suffer from various obstacles, such as gender gap or discrimination, few years of business experience and limited access to financing. The first part of this study explains the theoretical base of the Islamic microfinance, going through religious and ethical principles and financial contracts related to these principles. By using these theoretical aspects, the present study tried to evidence the main reasons for the “feminization of microfinance” in Pakistan. This study tries to answers, why, Islamic microfinance is an answer to improvement in women entrepreneurship. The second part of this study highlights social and environmental factors acting as a hindrance to female-entrepreneurship development. The primary data set is collected through field surveys from major administrative units of Pakistan to make sample more representative of Pakistan, where major Islamic micro-financing institutions are in operation.