Muslim Family in Northern Mozambique: Sharīʿa, Matriliny and the Official Legislation in Paquitequete

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Liazzat J. K. Bonate

Abstract Although Islam has a long history in coastal northern Mozambique, the question of how Muslims manage family life there is little understood. Based on the analysis of historical, ethnographic and legal records, and a case study of a bairro (Port., ward) called Paquitequete in the contemporary coastal city of Pemba in Cabo Delgado province, this article focuses on Muslim family and gender relations in northern Mozambique. It argues that Muslims of this region maintain concurrent legal identities as Muslims, matrilineal Africans and citizens of the modern state. While women benefitted from matriliny by accessing the land and support from their maternal side, upon widowhood and divorce they lost access to their husband’s or common assets because the husbands’ matriclan claimed them. The perseverance of matriliny made local Muslims seem to abide less by Islamic norms, but historically they have combined the Shāfiʿī madhhab (Islamic legal school) with matrilineal custom. In contemporary Pemba, family and gender relations are regulated not only by Sharīʿa or by African ‘traditions’, but by a blend of elements from these two alongside modern legislations. Moreover, it could be said that this arrangement is endorsed by a kind of popular consensus, which is particularly salient in the Community Courts.

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 143-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias E. Ebot

The Nordic countries are now firmly ensconced in academia as gender-friendly welfare states. They are seen as pioneering countries with respect to changes in family life and gender relations and thus present an interesting forum for family research. This paper explores how gender caring relates to gender, religion and parenting in Sub-Saharan African families in the context of immigration to Finland. A constructionist perspective is employed to illuminate how guidelines or scripts established in these parents’ cultures are actively used and how they in turn influence their gender relations. Gender caring is conceptualized as an ethic of reciprocity, solidarity and obligation to ensure interdependence and strong bonds among black African parents. The article draws on in-depth interviews conducted with twelve couples mainly in the Helsinki area (which includes Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen).


2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1242-1275 ◽  
Author(s):  
JONATHAN PARRY

AbstractBased on a case study of informal sector construction labour in the central Indian steel town of Bhilai, this paper explores the intersection and the mutually constitutive relationship between social class on the one hand, and gender (and more specifically sexual) relations on the other. It is part of an attempt to document and analyse a process of class differentiation within the manual labour force between aspirant middle class organized sector workers and the unorganized sector ‘labour class’. With some help from the (pre-capitalist) ‘culture’ of their commonly work-shy men-folk, their class situation forces ‘labour class’ women onto construction sites where they are vulnerable to the sexual predation of supervisors, contractors and owners. That some acquiesce reinforces the widespread belief that ‘labour class’ women are sexually available, which in turn provides ‘proof’ to the labour aristocracy that they themselves are a different and better breed, superior in culture and morals. Class inequalities produce a particular configuration of gender relations; gender relations (and in particular sexual relations) produce a powerful ideological justification for class differentiation. This proposition has strong resonances with processes reported from other parts of the world; but in the Indian context and in its specific focus on sex it has not been clearly articulated and its significance for class formation has not been adequately appreciated.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alex Hill

<p>Engaging men in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) has implications for gender equality and sustainable development. Promoting vasectomy can foster more equitable gender relations between partners, but research on this topic is extremely limited. My research shows that, in Kiribati, vasectomy uptake is both a cause and a consequence of gender equitable relationships, but connections are complex. Vasectomy uptake can also result from, and lead to, inequitable behaviours.  Links between vasectomy uptake and gender relations among couples in South Tarawa, Kiribati were explored using a qualitative case study informed by feminist theory and principles from indigenous methodologies. Semi-structured informal interviews were held with five vasectomised I-Kiribati men and their wives, interviewed as a couple and individually. Comparative analysis was undertaken with two same-sex focus group discussions, one with non-vasectomised men and the other with their wives; and with six key informant interviews. Information generated was analysed thematically and further triangulated with international and Kiribati studies.  Among the participant-couples, vasectomy decision-making seemed equitable, consistent with other household decision-making. Notably, the wives were actively involved in their husbands’ decision to be vasectomised. Husbands were often prompted by egalitarian concerns. However, vasectomised men are in the minority and challenge gender normative behaviour. Family planning was widely viewed as women’s responsibility.  Most participants felt vasectomy created new opportunities that empowered women. Yet, some participants knew of men who used their vasectomies to control their wives’ sexual and reproductive agency, and to enable extramarital relationships. Although vasectomy freed women from contraceptive responsibility, significant shifts in the gender division of labour did not follow, but exceptions existed.  This research shows that gender equity is likely to be a pre-condition of vasectomy, and that vasectomy can lead to equitable outcomes. Moreover, gender relations within and among couples were multifaceted and contradictions existed. My research makes a strong case for why heterosexual men should be central to gender and development.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alex Hill

<p>Engaging men in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) has implications for gender equality and sustainable development. Promoting vasectomy can foster more equitable gender relations between partners, but research on this topic is extremely limited. My research shows that, in Kiribati, vasectomy uptake is both a cause and a consequence of gender equitable relationships, but connections are complex. Vasectomy uptake can also result from, and lead to, inequitable behaviours.  Links between vasectomy uptake and gender relations among couples in South Tarawa, Kiribati were explored using a qualitative case study informed by feminist theory and principles from indigenous methodologies. Semi-structured informal interviews were held with five vasectomised I-Kiribati men and their wives, interviewed as a couple and individually. Comparative analysis was undertaken with two same-sex focus group discussions, one with non-vasectomised men and the other with their wives; and with six key informant interviews. Information generated was analysed thematically and further triangulated with international and Kiribati studies.  Among the participant-couples, vasectomy decision-making seemed equitable, consistent with other household decision-making. Notably, the wives were actively involved in their husbands’ decision to be vasectomised. Husbands were often prompted by egalitarian concerns. However, vasectomised men are in the minority and challenge gender normative behaviour. Family planning was widely viewed as women’s responsibility.  Most participants felt vasectomy created new opportunities that empowered women. Yet, some participants knew of men who used their vasectomies to control their wives’ sexual and reproductive agency, and to enable extramarital relationships. Although vasectomy freed women from contraceptive responsibility, significant shifts in the gender division of labour did not follow, but exceptions existed.  This research shows that gender equity is likely to be a pre-condition of vasectomy, and that vasectomy can lead to equitable outcomes. Moreover, gender relations within and among couples were multifaceted and contradictions existed. My research makes a strong case for why heterosexual men should be central to gender and development.</p>


Author(s):  
Clare Chambers

This chapter examines the main themes of feminism and the role that feminism plays in political theory. Much progress has been made towards sex equality, but there is still a long way to go. The chapter first considers the three theses that all feminists support, in one form or another: the entrenchment of gender, the existence of patriarchy, and the need for change. It then discusses the role of family life, the distinction between sex and gender, feminism and liberalism, and the relevance of sex and violence to feminism. A case study on pornography is presented, along with Key Thinkers boxes featuring Andrea Dworkin and Catharine A. MacKinnon.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (267) ◽  
pp. 532
Author(s):  
Francisco Taborda

Em perspectiva latino-americana, o autor aborda o tema das relações entre matrimônio e gênero. A partir do axioma: lex orandi – lex credendi, descreve o matrimônio na prática habitual latino-americana, com destaque para dois aspectos: o rito do enlace matrimonial e a vida matrimonial. Pergunta, como, neles, se espelha a relação de gênero, e observa uma contradição entre o modo de praticar o rito e a experiência da vida conjugal e familiar de todo dia. Constata a presença de duas concepções que geram uma tensão entre a praxe cultural e as propostas do Evangelho, o que é normal, visto ser o matrimônio um dado da criação, antes de ser instituído um sacramento. O autor analisa também a liturgia do casamento aprovada pela CNBB e pergunta, se ela resolve ou não a tensão cultura X Evangelho. Sublinha, enfim, o desafio que essa tensão significa para o matrimônio cristão.Abstract: The author deals with the relationship between marriage and gender from a Latin-American perspective. Starting from the axiom: lex orandi-lex credendi, he describes marriage as it is usually practiced in LatinAmerica, emphasizing two of its major aspects: the matrimonial rite and married life. Asking how gender relations influence these two aspects of marriage, he notices a contradiction between the way the rite is practiced and the every day experience of married and family life. He also notices the presence of two concepts that produce some tension between the cultural praxis and the Gospel’s proposals and sees this as a normal occurrence since, before being instituted as a sacrament, marriage was already a datum of the Creation. The author analyses the matrimonial liturgy sanctioned by the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops and wonders whether or not it solves the tension “culture versus Gospel”. Finally he stresses how this tension has become a challenge for the Christian marriage.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 446
Author(s):  
Ditha Aziezah Setiyono ◽  
Johanna Debora Imelda

2020 is a historic year due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus. As a result, people are forced to adapt to a new normal situation, which changes their daily lives order. In this condition, women are experiencing a double burden, including when men, as 'breadwinners', has experiencing the termination of employment (PHK) or decreasing in his income. There are various ways that women do for supporting their children and family needs. Such as being an unexpected worker. This study aims to provide an explanation on the meaning of being an unepected worker and gender relation changes using Bourdieu perspective. The research method employed is descriptive qualitative, using a case study. Data are collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The results showed that the meaning of becoming an unexpected worker and  the process of gender relations changes cannot be separated from the habitus of women. Work has economic and non-economic meaning when workers become impromptu workers. In the context of changing gender relations, the higher level of women education, the more parallel the gender relations are formed. Vice versa, the lower of their educations, the more domination of men in a gender relation. Tahun 2020 menjadi tahun bersejarah karena merebaknya virus Covid-19, akibatnya masyarakat mengubah tata cara kehidupan sehari-hari. Dalam kondisi ini, perempuan menjadi pihak yang harus bekerja ekstra, termasuk saat laki-laki sebagai 'income earner' mengalami Pemutusan Hubungan Kerja (PHK) atau pengurangan pendapatan. Berbagai cara dilakukan perempuan untuk anak dan kelangsungan keluarga, salah satunya dengan menjadi perempuan pekerja dadakan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memberi gambaran makna menjadi pekerja dadakan dan perubahan relasi gender yang terjadi denga menggunakan teori sosial Bourdeui. Metode penelitian yang digunakan penelitian kualitatif deskriptif dengan jenis studi kasus. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukan makna menjadi pekerja dadakan dan perubahan relasi gender tersebut tidak lepas dari habitus perempuan. Terdapat makna ekonomi dan non-ekonomi saat perempuan menjadi pekerja dadakan. Dalam konteks perubahan relasi gender semakin tinggi tingkat pendidikan semakin sejajar relasi gender yang terbentuk. Begitu pula sebaliknya, semakin rendah tingkat pendidikan semakin perempuan didominasi oleh laki-laki dalam sebuah relasi gender.


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