Gender Equality or Masculine Domination? Discourses on Gender and Religion among Religious Leaders and Lay People in Nadhi Gibe, Ethiopia

Abstract

Gender equality is one of the global issues in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that UN memberswere called upon to formulate national plans to actualize it. This article aims at examining cultural and religiousnorms and practices nurturing masculine domination in the rural context of Ethiopia. It analyses how discourseson gender and religion among religious leaders and lay people are framed and communicated in culturalcontexts in the case of Islam and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Sixteen interviews, four focus groupdiscussions, and ethnographic observations were employed to generate the necessary data. The studyparticipants were purposively selected. Theoretically-informed thematic analysis was employed to understandthe data and draw conclusions. Cultural and religious-based hegemonic masculine conducts and genderedpower relations are identified. Religion-based gendered power relations and inequalities are evident in people‟sroutine social interactions. Religious leaders and respective followers, including women, play a role innurturing gender inequality due to deeply entrenched cultural influences. Cultural and religious rules and practicesreinforce each other in shaping, justifying, and maintaining gender inequality prevailing in the community.Religious leaders and followers consider culture, not religion, to be the source of gender inequality. However,the study revealed that masculine domination is manifested in religious leaders and lay people‟s views andpractices. Therefore, religion also nurtures gender inequality inculcating hegemonic masculinity deliberately orinadvertently. Religious rules, arrangements, and practices nurture culturally-informed men‟s collective andindividual dominance over women. They also reinforce women‟s endorsement of their subordination inmaintaining gender inequality.