Shona Women in Zimbabwe-A Purchased People?

The position and treatment of women in every religion, culture, and society have been subjects of concern for a long time. In every society, women fight for their emancipation from exploitive and oppressive patriarchal structures. The most contentious issues include domestic violence, gender discrimination and inequality in the areas of employment, leadership, and marriage. Domestic violence tops the list and is the worst enemy of any progressive and democratic society. It dehumanizes, disfigures, and demeans its victims and survivors. Shona Women in Zimbabwe--a Purchased People? explores the causes of domestic violence--the cultural practice of bridewealth, in particular--and assesses the extent to which it contributes to the proliferation of domestic violence among the Shona people of Zimbabwe. It then explores the Christian traditions, particularly, the Roman Catholic Church, in search of resources that can be used to emancipate Shona women from patriarchal subjugation. Finally, the book offers a pastoral response that is informed by the experiences of the Shona women, their cultural resources, and the Roman Catholic religious tradition. ""The range of issues raised and the depth with which theyare discussed are important far beyond Zimbabwe, because thephenomenon ofviolence against women is one of the truly global phenomena of our time. . . . Butin the final analysis whatgives this text its heft and resonance is the author'spersonal experience. He begins with the words 'My father was aheavyweightboxing champion, who always made sure his opponent was knocked down in thefirst round.' As the first chapterprogresses we realize that the 'opponent'who always loses is John Chitakure's mother. . . . Thank you VaChitakurefor thisincredibly important book, which you have woven from the fabric ofyour experience and knowledge."" --Sheelagh Stewart, Founder and first CEO, the Musasa Project (thefirst organization against violence against women inindependent Africa),Zimbabwe, 1988-91 John Chitakure is adjunct Professor of World Religions and The Religious Quest at The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. He is the author of The Pursuit of the Sacred (2016).