THE EFFECT OF RELIGION AND CULTURE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Many religious faiths and cultural beliefs in Africa impede the ability of women from playing full and equal roles with men, thus creating an environment which fosters the violations of women’s rights. Religious and cultural norms have been acknowledged as a source for violating women’s rights, founded on the perception that women are inferior to men in the eyes of God. This belief is embedded in several African cultural practices which influence the lives of most Africans and as such, women are accorded lower status as inferior human beings. Religious and traditional leaders across Africa have hidden under the veil of their positions to subjugate women. This has resulted in several instances of oppression of women such as disenfranchisement of widows from inheritance, child marriage, rape, domestic violence, etc. While religion has been seen as a bane to the realization of women’s rights, religion can also serve as a solution by assigning women leadership roles in religious circles. Research shows that even within religious circles, women are entrusted with leadership roles but still carry out the roles in a manner that reflects the inferior position of women. This is basically because of the orientation and mentality that had been imbedded in the women right from childhood coupled with religious and cultural knowledge beliefs acquired before becoming religious or traditional leaders. This paper examines the impact of religious and cultural beliefs on the realisation of women’s rights in Africa in the light of Maputo protocol. In doing so, reference is made to random African countries that have adopted the Maputo Protocol. The doctrinal approach is adopted for this research by examining primary and secondary sources on impact of religion and cultural practices on women’s rights in Africa. Statistics from official government and international organisations sources are relied on to validate and substantiate claims in the paper.